In a world where traditional solutions often fall short, researchers at the University of Michigan are exploring the unconventional: Could global communities already possess answers to challenges that baffle Michigan’s health systems? This collaborative initiative is redefining how health equity research is approached, emphasizing the value of local knowledge and adaptable strategies.
IF YOU GO
- What: 2026 Institutional Global Health Summit
- When: 1 p.m. March 23
- Where: Rackham Graduate School Amphitheatre
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Consider the possibility that diagnostic methods designed for clinics facing power shortages could outperform high-tech solutions in some of Michigan’s underfunded hospitals. Or, that community health worker models successfully implemented in refugee camps might help reach underserved populations in the U.S. Moreover, climate adaptation techniques from informal settlements could guide efforts to safeguard heat-vulnerable neighborhoods domestically.
These explorations are not mere knowledge exchanges but partnerships. The researchers are integrated within local communities, collaborating closely with regional partners who guide the investigative process. This method suggests that future health equity research may prioritize inquiries over exports, respecting local innovations that may already outpace traditional Western solutions.
Cheryl Moyer
Professor of learning health sciences, and of obstetrics and gynecology, Medical School; professor of health management and policy, School of Public Health; and associate director, Center for Global Health Equity
In Ghana, Professor Cheryl Moyer and her team are tackling jaundice screening challenges. The absence of essential equipment and training in rural clinics poses a significant risk to newborns. They are testing new screening methods tailored to the local conditions, where electricity and laboratory capacity are limited. The focus is not only on the technical success of these tools but on their real-world impact in preventing harm to infants.
HaEun Lee
Assistant professor of nursing, School of Nursing
In Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement, HaEun Lee is pioneering a family planning intervention that involves men in the decision-making process. Recognizing the unique pressures of displacement and trauma in these settings, the initiative encourages couples to communicate and share responsibility for reproductive choices, transforming family planning into a collaborative process.
Eliza Steinberg
Ph.D. student, College of Engineering
Eliza Steinberg is contributing to maternal health by co-developing a device to measure uterine blood loss, a critical factor in postpartum hemorrhage. Her approach emphasizes co-creation, working directly with midwives and nurses in low- and middle-income countries to ensure that the devices are both practical and user-friendly.
Sylvia Takyi
Research fellow, Center for Global Health Equity
Tackling the health impacts of informal e-waste recycling in Ghana, Sylvia Takyi focuses on providing immediate nutritional interventions to those exposed to toxic substances. By mitigating the health risks while advocating for systemic change, her work highlights the necessity of short-term solutions alongside long-term environmental justice.
Abu Hasan Sajili
Ph.D. student, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Abu Hasan Sajili assesses community health worker programs aimed at increasing vaccine uptake. By documenting the effectiveness of these established approaches, his research supports the professional status of health workers and argues for sustained investment in their role.
Érinn C. Cameron
Research fellow, Center for Global Health and Equity
In Brazil and Colombia, Érinn C. Cameron is addressing the health risks associated with rising indoor temperatures in informal housing. Her work identifies the specific conditions within these homes that pose dangers, particularly to pregnant women, and seeks to fill the gaps left by traditional heat research.
Gary W. Harper
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor; professor of health behavior and health equity, and of global public health, School of Public Health
Gary W. Harper is reshaping research leadership through the Imarisha Institute in Kenya, empowering local leaders of LGBTQ+ organizations to conduct their own research. As Harper recalls from conversations with community leaders: “We are tired of others telling our story…we want to tell our own story.”
Maria Muzik
Professor of psychiatry, and of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School
Maria Muzik’s Ecorazón project in Ecuador focuses on collective resilience through community-based mental health support. By fostering peer support and cultural practices, the project emphasizes building resilience and collective well-being over individual medical interventions.
