Research Office News

Professor Emerita Edie Kieffer’s latest research “Diagnosis and Care of Chronic Health Conditions Among Medicaid Expansion Enrollees: A Mixed-Methods Observational Study, was included in a front page Washington Post story. The study finds people with chronic conditions are significantly more likely to report improved physical and mental health since enrolling in the Healthy Michigan Plan, the state’s expanded Medicaid program. Ann-Marie Rosland, now an associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, is the first author of the study. Originally published in published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the research has also inspired an article on U-M’s Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI) website. Kieffer has been a member of IHPI’s Healthy Michigan Plan evaluation team since its beginning in 2014.

Kieffer led the qualitative interview component of the evaluation and is also survey team member. “This was a mixed methods study, which uses both survey and interview data, and integrates the results” she explains. She was responsible for analyzing the interview data and integrating key interview themes and quotations with the survey results in the manuscript. 

“Why do we include interview data?  It is used as part of the evaluation because personal stories are important,” says Kieffer. “Policymakers are often most moved by the stories – these bring the numbers alive.  The interviewees told truly important stories about the impact of having the Healthy Michigan Plan on getting diagnosed, getting needed care to help them to manage their conditions, and on the functional impact on their lives.”   

Associate Professor Kristin Seefeldt has been appointed new associate faculty director at the University of Michigan Poverty Solutions. Poverty Solutions is a presidential initiative that aims to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research that informs policymakers, community organizations, government entities and practitioners about what works in confronting poverty.  Seefeldt in her new role will engage more faculty and students in meaningful research opportunities.

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins' research on black men is featured in U-M Record.  Watkins researches how men and boys define themselves as men and boys, and how that influences their mental health.

Associate Professors Terri Friedline and Trina Shanks identify key problems, and how to address them, in WalletHub's latest report on underprivileged children.

Assistant Professor Lisa Fedina's research on child sex trafficking in the United States was cited in the USA Today story, "Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking targets: 'The more vulnerable the better,' investigator says."

Associate Professor Shawna Lee and PhD student Joyce Lee’s research “The effect of paternal cues in prenatal care settings on men’s involvement intentions” is cited in the Huffington Post. Most photos and brochures in a typical OB-GYN waiting room focus on mothers, but adding some subtle father-friendly visual cues could be a simple way to boost a dad’s parenting confidence, according to Shawna Lee and Joyce Lee's new study.

Associate Professor Kristin Seefeldt is cited in the New York Times, "Why There Has Been a Surge in Single Mothers Who Work".  “Even with increased wages and even with the changes that are being made around leave policy and the like, employees are still at the mercy of their employers,” said Seefeldt.

Michigan Social Work, together with Poverty Solutions, the Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion and The Annie E. Casey Foundation, hosted academics, researchers, financial analysts, elected officials and policy experts at a conference to discuss Children’s Savings Accounts (CSA).  The conference was organized by Professor William Elliott.  Dean Lynn Videka welcomed the participants and introduced keynote speaker, SSW alumnus, Michael Sherraden.  Associate Professors Terri Friedline and Trina Shanks also spoke during the three-day event.  Conference sessions included creating policy for financial inclusion, current research initiatives to evaluate CSA outcomes, and an overview of how to start and fund a CSA.