Michigan
Michigan medical students fight to make climate change part of curriculum
- Worsening air quality and warmer, stormier weather in the Great Lakes region caused by climate change are threatening human health
- Michigan medical students are pushing for curriculum changes to address these health threats
- As a result, more medical schools are teaching future doctors about climate change
Climate change is no longer a “backburner” issue for medical students like Sierra Silverwood. It’s essential to understanding human health when new and greater health threats are emerging because of climate change.
The collaborative’s five newsrooms — Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now and the Narwhal — are funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
But integrating climate topics into an already “packed medical education” isn’t easy, said Michigan State University fourth-year medical student Silverwood.
Despite the challenge, future doctors across Michigan and the nation are taking their education into their own hands — creating climate health curricula and calling on faculty to integrate the material into their programs.
“We’re starting to see how (climate change) impacts our patient care,” said Silverwood. “I think that’s really gotten individuals inspired to take action.”
‘The face of the climate crisis’
This story is part of a series by the Great Lakes News Collaborative that connects the region’s changing climate and abundant water to human health.
The collaborative’s five newsrooms — Bridge Michigan, Michigan Public, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now and the Narwhal — are funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
The urgency of climate health education for medical students is more apparent than ever with a dangerous heat wave hitting the Midwest this week.
Climate change is making these extreme heat waves hotter and more frequent.
In the Great Lakes region, average annual temperatures increased 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1951 and are expected to rise several more degrees this century.
Along with extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, air pollution and vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease are sending people to hospitals, sometimes killing people.
A 2019 study by U-M researchers estimated that the number of emergency room visits in Michigan caused by extreme precipitation may increase to 220 per year by 2070 from 170 historically. Deaths from extreme heat may increase to 240 from 33 per year in the same period.
“Health is the face of the climate crisis,” said Dr. Lisa DelBuono, founder and president of Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action, which is why doctors need to be trained to recognize climate threats to better treat their patients.
But practicing doctors may be hesitant to acknowledge the environmental factors causing their patients to get sick because climate change was highly politicized — or maybe not talked about at all — while they were in medical school, said DelBuono.
A recently retired diagnostic pathologist herself, DelBuono understands these doctors’ concerns but thinks the health threats are too big to ignore.
“If they’re not prepared for what’s coming down the pike, then they’re not going to be able to do their job,” she said.
Current medical students are facing this reality, which is why they’re pushing for the integration of climate health topics in their curriculum.
Preparing for a changing future
Efforts on the campus of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University are examples of how that can work.
Medical students at University of Michigan took action in 2019, forming White Coats for Planetary Health (WCPH), a group of 12 to 15 medical students pushing for increased education about climate health in their curriculum.
In 2022, the group successfully created a health and climate-change elective for third and fourth-year medical students.
The elective prepares students to recognize environmental impacts on health, such as how air pollution affects lung health and the relationship between extreme rainfall and water-related illnesses such as E. coli infections.
Medical student Andrea McGowan, co-chair of education and curriculum for White Coats for Planetary Health, said the course is “pretty popular among students,” even though it’s not required.
“Med students like to be prepared,” said McGowan, “and a lot of students are starting to recognize that (climate change) might impact what they see in the clinic.”
U-M professor and WCPH mentor Alexander Rabin told students about the dozens of patients he saw last summer with breathing problems because of wildfire smoke.
Seeing and hearing about those impacts is motivating students to advocate for change, said Rabin.
Rabin got involved in climate advocacy when he was a medical student in 2018, and said students are “the lifeblood” of climate health advocacy.
“They’re politically engaged, and they’re worried about their future,” he said.
What’s next for student advocacy
Students are continuing to advocate for climate health education at their schools.
U-M students earned a big win with the inclusion of the climate health elective, but they aren’t stopping there.
Medical student McGowan said the next step for WCPH is to fully integrate climate health into the existing four-year curriculum.
For example, during a class about cardiovascular health and heart disease, students might watch a video lesson about how extreme heat can affect patients with existing heart conditions.
WCPH students are teaming up with faculty across the country to create such educational videos in partnership with Climate Resources for Health Education (CRHE), a global professional-led climate health initiative.
With summer break in full swing, McGowan said she’s not sure when the videos will be done, but the completed videos will be free and available on CRHE’s website.
Other medical schools in the region are also working towards integrating climate health into their curriculum.
MSU College of Human Medicine is close to adding a climate change course to its program, said Silverwood, who is working with the MSU curriculum committee to cement the change.
Silverwood said the course would be a required introduction to climate change. From there, students can pursue research about climate health topics that interest them, like climate impacts on cancer or environmental justice.
Without specialized climate health courses at MSU, students will likely have to search for educational material about topics of interest from outside organizations.
CRHE is one such resource. Along with new climate health video material, the initiative provides 44 courses complete with learning objectives, slide decks and facilitator guides.
CRHE says all its resources are “evidence-based, expert-reviewed,” free and open-access.
In addition to CRHE, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future (MS4SF), a global, student-run climate health advocacy group, provides free educational resources like webinars and lectures on its website.
The group also organizes research opportunities and training programs centered on the link between climate and health, which medical students can apply for.
Silverwood is the curriculum co-chair for MS4SF. She said the students who founded the organization in 2019 were “pioneers” in climate health advocacy, and since then, MS4SF has been crucial to driving change in medical schools across the country.
Efforts to integrate climate health into medical school curricula are fairly new — much of CRHE material is only two years old. Many medical schools, like U-M and MSU, have begun reforming their curricula, but others haven’t made any progress.
In fact, the American Medical Association found that 45 percent of U.S. medical schools don’t require climate health as a topic in their courses in 2022.
Medical students wanting to propose curriculum reform at their schools can use MS4SF’s curriculum guide, which takes students through writing a letter to their curriculum committee to create syllabi for climate health courses.
Many schools still have a long way to go, but Silverwood said student efforts are only growing.
MS4SF’s regional chapters are starting to work together to push nationwide climate health education reform, said Silverwood.
“I feel like the organization is gaining a lot of momentum,” she said. “We’re excited to find new and better ways to facilitate curriculum integration for students.”
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Hello, is it an awesome event you’re looking for? Well, you can see some great options not in a pair of eyes or a smile, but in this weekend planner.
Here is a look at what you can do the weekend of May 15:
Acrisure Amphitheater Grand Opening
It’s been a long time coming, but finally, the Acrisure Amphitheater is set to welcome in its first guests with not one, but two shows this weekend.
It kicks off Friday with a grand opening performance by Lionel Richie. And then on Saturday, catch several local artists as part of the Community Celebration.
Click here to grab tickets while you still can.
Heritage Hill Tour of Homes
Saturday marks the start of the 58th annual Heritage Hill Tour of Homes, where guests can explore some of the historic homes in the historic neighborhood.
One of those homes includes the Voigt House, which was built in 1895 and has not been open to the public in 17 years.
For more information, click here.
Puppies on the Patio at Harmony Brewing
What’s better than a cold one after a stressful week? How about sharing a cold one with your best friend?
You and your dog can enjoy a frosty beverage this Saturday at Harmony Brewing Company with a Puppy Pool Party. There will be kiddie pools, activities for dogs and humans and plenty of aforementioned beer.
Click here to learn more.
WestFest
Spring is in the air and you can tell not by the pollen closing in on us, but by the fact that WestFest is happening for another year.
For more than three decades now, the carnival has served as a way for those living on the West Side of Grand Rapids to come together and celebrate the changing of the season. The funds raised by the event will also go towards servicing families of Sacred Heart Parish & Academy.
Details can be found here.
Creston Neighborhood Pancake Breakfast
On Saturday, the Creston Neighborhood in Grand Rapids is inviting the community to partake in its free pancake breakfast and resource fair.
The event will provide plenty of resources from local organizations, a chance for folks to meet their neighbors and also enjoy some delicious pancakes for free.
More information can be found here.
Butterfly Release in Paw Paw
A special memorial butterfly release will be held Saturday in the village of Paw Paw to help those deal with their grief and loss.
Attendees are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. That is when the memorial service will begin, followed by the butterfly release.
For details, click here.
The Kite Festival at Grand Haven
One of the most visually stunning events returns to Grand Haven State Park Saturday and Sunday with the Kite Festival.
It’s your chance to check out dozens upon dozens of kites soaring through the sky. The best part is that it’s completely free to attend.
You can get more information by clicking here.
Kalamazoo Toy Show
On Saturday, head on out to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center for this year’s Kalamazoo Toy Show.
Kids 12 and under get in free to check out some incredibly preserved antique toys like cap guns, action figures, Pez dispensers and more.
Details can be found by clicking here.
Prom with a Purpose
The signature event of the Momentum Center in Grand Haven is Prom with a Purpose and it’s back this weekend.
The event gives folks a chance at reliving the glory days with a night of dancing, eating and fun. The event helps raise funds for the Momentum Center’s initiatives.
Click here to learn more.
Michigan
Michigan DNR confirms black bear roaming Downriver communities in furthest southeast sighting ever
FLAT ROCK, Mich. (WXYZ) — A black bear has been confirmed roaming the Carleton, Rockwood, and Flat Rock area — the furthest southeast the Michigan DNR has ever recorded a bear sighting in the state.
Watch Jeffrey Lindblom’s video report:
Two black bear sightings confirmed in southern counties
Residents near Woodruff Road first spotted the animal on a trail camera, with many initially mistaking it for a large cat. The Michigan DNR has since confirmed two black bear sightings in the area since Sunday, along with tracks to match.
Dale Hicks, a Rockwood resident, was among the first to spot the animal.
“I looked, and I said there’s a big cat by the double gate,” Hicks said.
WXYZ-TV
Neighbor Carolann Foerch said she was surprised to learn the animal had passed through her property.
“It was here and apparently walking through our back yard. He says, there’s a bear out there!” Foerch said.
WXYZ-TV
Foerch, who is originally from northern Michigan, said she welcomed the unusual visitor.
“I love the bear, you betcha,” Foerch said.
Fellow resident Corry Stanley summed up the reaction many neighbors shared.
“Guess it was a real bear,” Stanley said.
WXYZ-TV
Jan Saintamour, another Rockwood resident, called the sighting “kind of cool. Kind of odd.”
WXYZ-TV
What the DNR says
Cody Norton, a bear specialist with the Michigan DNR, said the sighting is unprecedented for the region.
“This is the furthest southeast we’ve seen,” Norton said.
WXYZ-TV
Norton described southeastern Michigan as far more developed than other parts of the state, making the bear’s appearance in the area without any reported sightings along its path especially unusual.
The DNR reports approximately 12,000 bears living across Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Norton said the lower peninsula bear population has grown significantly in recent years.
“Our bear population in the lower peninsula has grown about 60-percent,” Norton said.
As bear numbers have risen, the animals have begun moving into areas further west and south. Norton said younger male bears in particular tend to wander in search of territory not already claimed by dominant males.
“They are able to survive and make a living in habitats we previously thought wouldn’t be suitable for bears,” Norton said.
Norton said bears would have historically inhabited this area before development pushed them out, and that as populations continue to grow, sightings in unexpected places like southeastern Michigan are likely to increase.
“Their world revolves around food,” Norton said.
What to do if you see the bear
The DNR says residents do not need to be overly concerned.
“I don’t think anyone should be too worried about this individual bear roaming around in this area,” Norton said.
Norton said there has not been a bear-related human fatality in Michigan since 1930. He added that residents do not need to worry about walking pets or letting animals outside.
However, there are steps residents can take to avoid unintentionally attracting the bear to their property:
- Secure garbage cans
- Manage bird feeders
- Do not leave pet food outside
If you do encounter the bear, the DNR advises against running. Instead, make yourself appear large, make noise, and slowly back away to a safe location.
As of now, the bear does not appear to be bothering anyone or displaying aggressive behavior. The DNR says it will continue to leave the bear alone unless it begins acting aggressively or causing property damage.
Hicks, for his part, said he plans to keep an eye out.
“I’m going to look at it and take pictures of it,” Hicks said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
NOVI — Surprise! Sakura Novi is getting yet another Michigan premiere store with the opening of TESO Life at 42688 Grand River Avenue on May 15.
The 12,000 square-foot store offers thousands of Asian-themed beauty products, collectibles, snacks, beverages and more.
“Hopefully people will like us,” said store manager Jackal Saw. “I’m excited about the whole new culture here and I see a lot of excited customers. I have faith in Michigan.”TESO Life was founded in 2017 and while the company offers mainly Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese products that cater to a “global consumer,” it is U.S. based, with headquarters in New York City and stores sprouting up across the east and west coasts, as well as in Texas, Florida and Chicago.Novi is the 27th location for TESO Life, which has a loyal following among Asian populations, but which has fun finds for anyone with an interest in Asian culture, food and fun collectibles.
Among the most popular items are “blind boxes,” in which there are mystery collector items that Saw describes as similar to Popmart, but with different brands, including Care Bears, Lucky Emma, Maltese, Smiski and more.A wide variety of do-it-yourself kits from Rolife line shelves, offering creative challenges.
Snack aisles abound with sweet treats, including freezers full of ice cream specialties seen on TikTok and plenty of refrigerated beverages.
TESO Life in Novi has about 30 employees waiting to greet you and is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
On opening weekend from May 15-17, spend any amount and get a free pin. Guests spending $50 or more will also get a free snack and those spending more than $100 will receive a free gift bag.
Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com
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