IHPI Informs - November/December 2022

November/December 2022

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Groundbreaking research, innovation, and intellectual energy

IHPI Policy Brief: Impact of COVID-19 Telehealth Policy Changes on Access to Medication Treatment for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

A new IHPI policy brief summarizing the work of a team led by Allison Lin, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor of psychiatry, suggests that during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth played a major role in maintaining and increasing buprenorphine treatment for individuals with opioid use disorder.

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IHPI Policy Brief: State-University Partnership to Enhance Outreach to Adults Living with Sickle Cell Disease in Michigan

A new IHPI brief highlights the impact of the Michigan Sickle Cell Data Collection Program, a partnership between a U-M team led by Sarah Reeves, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Leveraging multiple data sources, the program helped identify over 2,500 adults with sickle cell disease in Michigan who are now eligible to receive coverage for care due to a recent expansion of a state health services program.

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The Today Show features U-M musical about the risks of opioid use

A new musical developed by the Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network (OPEN) and U-M's Precision Health and School of Music, Theatre & Dance gained national attention for its unique approach to warning teens about the risks of opioid use. Painless: The Opioid Musical was featured on The Today Show on November 25.

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Sjoding presents research on racial bias in pulse oximeters to FDA panel

Michael Sjoding, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor of internal medicine, presented his team's research on racial bias in pulse oximeters to an FDA advisors group on November 1. The advisors ultimately recommended more research on disparities, more testing of devices, and better labeling for pulse oximeters to caution users against flawed readings.

Michael Sjoding

IHP Policy Brief: Pulse Oximeters Are Less Accurate in Hospitalized Black Patients

Buis selected to lead IHPI’s Telehealth Research and Policy Initiative

Lorraine Buis, PH.D., M.S.I., associate professor of family medicine, was selected as the new IHPI Research and Policy Telehealth faculty lead beginning January 2023. She succeeds Chad Ellimoottil, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of urology, who served in the role for more than two years. Buis will help guide, catalyze, and disseminate IHPI research on the role of telehealth in improving healthcare access and quality, enhancing patient experience, and reducing costs.

Lorraine Buis

Telehealth Research Snapshots Report

In the news

IHPI members making headlines

Healthy schools: Project reduces childhood obesity

Project Healthy Schools is a community-University of Michigan collaboration designed to reduce childhood obesity and improve the current and future health of Michigan’s youth. The program, which began in 2004, is one of only a few school-based programs that have demonstrated immediate and lasting improvements in participants’ health behavior and cardiovascular risk factors.

The critical role of people over 50 as caregivers and helpers for older loved ones

More than half of people age 50 to 80 say they helped at least one person over 65 with their health, personal hygiene, home, or finances in the past two years, according to new findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. While nearly all helpers (96%) reported positive aspects of supporting others, a quarter said it was more difficult than they expected.

“Sandwich generation” study shows challenges of caring for both kids and aging parents

Highly processed foods can be considered addictive like tobacco products

New research published in Addiction and led by Ashley Gearhardt, Ph.D., M.Phil., M.S., associate professor of psychology, offers evidence that highly processed foods meet the same criteria used to identify cigarettes as an addictive substance.