Building an Equitable World, One Collaboration at a Time
Over the past twelve months, we have achieved new milestones, forged transformative partnerships, and made substantial strides toward our mission of ensuring equitable health outcomes for all. Our dedicated team, innovative research, and the unwavering support of our global community have allowed us to address some of the world's most pressing health challenges. As we reflect on this year's successes, we are more inspired than ever to continue our work toward a healthier, more equitable future for every individual, no matter where they call home.
“We’re all confronted with stories and situations of people with health issues that keep them from living their best lives. More than ever, we’re called to help with those challenges and strive for true impact with the work that we do.”
—Joe Kolars, MD
Center Members
Schools, colleges, and units engaged across 3 U‑M campuses
Partner institutions + organizations in 17 countries
An interdisciplinary approach
The University of Michigan has a long tradition of international engagement and individual global health programs that have often been centered within its numerous colleges and institutes. The Center for Global Health Equity aims to enhance the ongoing work of these existing efforts by fostering connectivity to increase cross-campus initiatives and programming. Global health leaders from across our academic units provided input to help define the Center's thematic priorities and overall approach to impact.
The Center brings together faculty, staff, and students from across the U-M community with external partners in pursuit of novel global health solutions that can positively impact individuals and communities in low- and middle-income settings. Inspired by a catalytic gift—matched by the university—from Dr. Tachi and Leslie Yamada, the Center focuses on collaboration for meaningful change.
"Every community has its own strengths, knowledge, and practices that we need to learn from to able to actually implement interventions that are useful."
— Amina Abubhakar, PhD
Center Updates
With this newest commitment, the Yamada family has now pledged $20 million to the center to advance global health equity efforts underway at the University of Michigan.
Sylvia Takyi, PhD and Liz Ludwig, PhD, MPH join a cadre of six scholars housed at the Center for Global Health Equity working in close partnership and collaboration with their mentor teams and international partners.
Current director and founder of the center, Joseph C. Kolars, MD and his successors will hold the title, Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director, University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity.
In his new role as associate director, Ehrlich will play a crucial part in co-developing and implementing the strategic vision of the center's Data Collaborative.
The center is collaborating with partners to establish a collaborative network that unites partners from U-M with those in Ghana’s health sector to drive breakthrough, impactful projects advancing health outcomes.
The Center for Global Health Equity, the Donia Human Rights Center, and Physicians for Human Rights are joining forces to offer a new program for graduate students at the University of Michigan.
Are you looking for more from your global health research? Join a growing movement of interdisciplinary researchers at the University of Michigan.
Member Updates
The project exemplifies an interdisciplinary collaboration among University of Michigan scholars, bringing together experts from various fields to address the pressing issue of climate-induced heat stress in vulnerable communities.
Maria Jose Baeza Robba is an impact scholar in her second year at the Center for Global Health Equity. Her mentors are Michelle Munro-Kramer, School of Nursing; Lisa Fedina, School of Social Work; and Elizabeth King, School of Public Health
Center members Pamela Jagger and impact scholar Uttam Sharma have been awarded a Sustainability Catalyst Grant by the University of Michigan's Graham Sustainability Institute.
The conference, themed "Opportunities for All: Harnessing Data & Technology for Africa's Transformation," provided a crucial platform to celebrate the utilization of data in East Africa.
Center member Emily Treleaven, PhD, MPH co-authored a new publication in the June 2024 issue of the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
The grant awarded to AKU's Brain and Mind Institute (BMI) will fund a research project that was previously supported by the center, aimed at increasing understanding of the aging process in Kenyan adults aged 45 and above.
center members across 19 schools, colleges, and units across U-M's three campuses.
in external funding enabled.
in funding distributed since our founding in 2020.