AGP Executive Report

Workplace Safety: MIOSHA says a Consumers Energy journeyman lineman was electrocuted Aug. 13 in Henderson while doing overhead electrical work, marking Michigan’s 30th workplace fatality of 2026. Hospital Staffing & Safety: Henry Ford Genesys Hospital nurses on strike since Labor Day report ongoing workplace violence, while the health system cites metal detectors, trained security, and de-escalation efforts. Public Health & Air Quality: A mold and air quality expert urges Michiganders to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure indoors during high-alert days, pointing to wildfire-smoke impacts seen across the Midwest. Child Health: CDC data show childhood vaccination rates down and exemptions up for the 2025-26 school year, including in Midwest states. Food Assistance: SNAP recipients will begin September benefit payments soon, with amounts and delivery dates varying by state. Community Health & Environment: EGLE awards Brownfield grants to redevelop contaminated sites in Saugatuck and Ubly into new businesses and jobs, aiming to improve public health and safety.

Childhood Vaccines in Michigan: MDHHS says Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations and school requirements/exemptions remain unchanged, urging families to follow the AAP schedule before the school year. Foodborne Illness Watch: The cyclosporiasis outbreak remains a major concern as cases near 14,000 in Michigan and health officials continue tracking hospitalizations and sources. Air Quality Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urges Michiganders to check outdoor air daily and limit exposure indoors during pollution spikes, citing wildfire-smoke health risks. Local Health Care Expansion: UM Health-Sparrow breaks ground on an $83M behavioral health building in Lansing, adding 64 psychiatric beds, including for children and adolescents. University of Michigan Leadership: U-M regents selected Vanderbilt provost C. Cybele Raver as the next president, with a formal vote expected Sept. 1. Community Safety Alerts: A harmful algae bloom was confirmed at Bass Lake in Mason County, with warnings to avoid contact and follow posted advisories. Legal/Privacy: Michigan AG Ford joins lawsuits challenging federal demands for sensitive CDL driver information tied to threatened funding. Health & Wellness Support: MSU Extension launches a free online series for caregivers on early emotional skills, running in September.

EMS Expansion: Life EMS is extending 911 coverage into Muskegon County, adding Norton Shores and Roosevelt Park plus Fruitport and Sullivan Townships, with calls routed through Muskegon County Central Dispatch and operations based at a Norton Shores fire station. Blood Supply Push: Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is urging donors to give before year-end as donations in its five-state area are down 11% since Memorial Day, leaving hospitals short on daily supply. Food Safety Watch: The CDC says cyclospora cases are nearing 14,000 nationwide, with Michigan among the hardest hit as investigators tie many infections to recalled iceberg lettuce; FDA is conducting an onsite look at the implicated supplier. Public Health & Prevention: Michigan health officials confirmed a swine flu case in an Ionia County resident linked to pigs at the Kent County Youth Fair, after animals showed illness and at least one pig died. Local Access to Produce: Double Up Food Bucks is expanding in Shiawassee County, letting SNAP users earn up to $50 per day for fruits and veggies at local markets. Healthcare Workforce Training: Life EMS and University of Michigan Health-West trained more than 40 athletic trainers on emergency response for fall sports scenarios. Community Health Tech/Business: Detroit startup Grounded closed a $5M seed round and opened a 50,000-square-foot facility to scale modular fleet vehicles for both electric and gas operations.

Air Quality & Health: A mold and air quality expert urges Michiganders to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure indoors when levels spike, citing links to respiratory distress, inflammation, headaches, fatigue, and longer-term risks like heart disease and cancer. Public Health (Swine Flu): Michigan confirmed a swine flu case in an Ionia County resident tied to pigs at the Kent County Youth Fair; officials say human-to-human spread is rare but urge anyone exposed to watch for flu-like symptoms and contact health providers. Food Safety (Cyclospora): The FDA added Massachusetts (and Maine) to the cyclospora outbreak list, noting recalled iceberg lettuce distribution there and warning consumers to clean/sanitize surfaces if they handled the product. Maternal Care Access: March of Dimes reports maternity care deserts affect 34.6% of U.S. counties, threatening access for 2.4 million women of reproductive age. Local Care Spotlight: A Rochester Hills family returned to Children’s Hospital of Michigan to celebrate a 1st birthday after treatment for WPW syndrome. Healthcare Policy: MDHHS says Michigan’s childhood vaccine recommendations and school requirements remain unchanged despite federal guidance shifts. Senior Health Business: Welltower acquired a 347-bed Michigan skilled nursing portfolio, signaling continued consolidation in post-acute care. Community & Wellness: MSU Extension announced a free Sept. 8 online workshop on positive and adverse childhood experiences for parents and caregivers.

Cyclosporiasis Update: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis count climbed to 13,909 cases, up from 12,485 last Thursday, with 314 hospitalizations and two deaths reported; Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham and Genesee counties lead, and MDHHS continues weekly tracking as clinicians note symptoms can linger and standard stool tests may miss the parasite unless specifically ordered. Food Safety & Federal Response: The broader U.S. outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce remains under scrutiny, with Sen. Elizabeth Warren demanding HHS communications tied to Taylor Farms as FDA inspections at the Mexican growing site began weeks after the first outbreak naming. School Health in Detroit: Detroit Public Schools Community District’s health hubs—free health and wellness support inside schools—are helping families tackle barriers tied to chronic absenteeism, including referrals for basic needs like clothing and laundry support. Workforce Training in Monroe: Monroe County Community College and ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital will host an Aug. 19 open house for a Sterile Processing Technician program, training students for roles supporting surgical instrument cleaning and sterilization. Preventive Care Reminder: MDARD is urging pet owners to update vaccinations ahead of late-summer outdoor exposure risks, noting vaccines protect animals and can reduce spread to people. Air Quality Guidance: A mold and air quality expert recommends daily outdoor air checks and taking indoor precautions when pollution spikes, citing wildfire-smoke impacts seen across the region this summer.

Food Safety & Public Health: Michigan’s cyclospora outbreak keeps climbing, with CDC tracking about 13,895 lab-confirmed cases since May 1 and nearly 9,500 tied to the lettuce outbreak; officials note the real number may be higher because not everyone gets specialized testing. Clinical Guidance: A new report says cyclospora is treatable with antibiotics like Septra/Bactrim for people ill more than 48 hours, but questions remain about what—if anything—can help beyond prescription options. Environmental Health: District Health Department No. 10 confirmed a harmful algal bloom in Hamlin Lake (Mason County), urging residents to avoid contact, don’t drink untreated surface water, and limit fish from affected areas; symptoms can include rashes, eye/nose irritation, GI illness, and breathing trouble. Community Health & Safety: Michigan State Police continue investigating a Missaukee County shooting spree that left six dead (including suspect Chad Hickman) and a 13-year-old girl critically injured after calling 911. Health Access & Fraud Watch: A Detroit Lakes BBB scam report flagged “healthcare/medicaid/medicare” imposters that charge for “preventive” coverage they don’t actually provide. Wellness in Action: A 9-year-old in Martin, Michigan used CPR training from a school program to help save a church member who collapsed.

School Discipline Reform: Michigan schools are restraining or secluding students nearly 18,000 times a year, despite a near-10-year-old law meant to cut back—advocates want clearer “emergency” standards and more trauma-informed training. Public Health Watch: State health officials confirmed a rare swine flu case in an Ionia County resident tied to the Kent County Youth Fair, and they’re urging anyone with flu-like symptoms after possible swine exposure to contact a provider. Food Safety Anxiety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce continues to drive concern nationwide, with Michigan reporting thousands of cases as health agencies track produce and advise precautions. Community Health & Safety: A Michigan family is supported by neighbors after the sudden death of a 13-year-old cheerleader, with kids raising funds through a lemonade stand and GoFundMe. Environmental Health: Tree Check Month urges residents to inspect for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle to protect Michigan’s hardwoods. Gun Violence in the News: Detroit-area candidate Eli Savit highlighted red-flag and safe storage laws plus community violence interruption funding during a Detroit roundtable.

Northern Michigan Mass Shooting: Michigan State Police say six people died across three locations in Missaukee County, including suspect Chad Hickman, after a 13-year-old girl was shot and survived; police are still investigating motive and relationships, and the girl called 911 after being hit. Food Safety & Parasites: Federal regulators began inspecting Taylor Farms’ Mexico plant tied to a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, as Michigan cases continue to rise and officials urge people to watch for symptoms after lettuce-linked illnesses. Organ Donation Push: Michigan leaders marked National Minority Donor Awareness Month, spotlighting organ, eye and tissue donation and encouraging more people to register—especially in communities facing transplant gaps. Care for Family Caregivers: The Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress announced a September caregiver retreat with nutrition, yoga, support and rest time for non-professional family caregivers. Medical Education: Central Michigan University received more than $5.7 million in federal funding to expand rural healthcare training, access and research partnerships. Air Quality Health Tips: A mold and air quality expert urged Michiganders to check outdoor pollution daily and take indoor precautions during high-alert days, citing links to respiratory and longer-term health risks.

Public Health & Safety: Michigan’s MDHHS confirmed a human case of swine flu (H1N2) tied to the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell, after multiple pigs became sick; officials say exposed attendees should watch for symptoms and report illness. Food & Water Safety: The City of Gladwin reported a partially treated wastewater bypass into the Cedar River after lightning hit its treatment facility; samples were within acceptable ranges so far, and officials are continuing water testing while crews restore full operations. Hospital Nutrition: HHS announced Corewell Health (Michigan) joined a hospital “Make Hospital Food Healthier” pledge aimed at aligning inpatient meals with the Dietary Guidelines and improving nutrition support for recovery and discharge. Consumer Protection: Michigan AG Dana Nessel reissued a data-breach consumer alert, citing rising identity theft risk and pushing for stronger breach-notification rules as major health providers have been affected. Research Update: A University of Michigan study challenges a long-held assumption about a common lung bacterium, finding it can survive in oxygen—potentially reshaping how clinicians think about respiratory microbiomes. Violence & Community Impact: Multiple Michigan shootings in Missaukee County left six dead, including the suspected gunman, prompting a large police manhunt and ongoing investigation.

Food Safety Watch: FDA and CDC began onsite inspections and sampling at Taylor Farms’ Mexico facility in Guanajuato as the multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce continues, with Michigan among the hardest hit states and officials saying recalled lettuce is off the market while the investigation narrows the source. Public Health Alerts: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis case count remains near 14,000 as health departments track new reports and hospitalizations, while other states report updates and the CDC continues to tally confirmed and unconfirmed illnesses. Local Health & Community: A Detroit nonprofit is using golf clinics to break down barriers and support mental health, expanding from men’s sessions to women’s and family clinics. Workforce & Training: North Central Michigan College opened the Martin Jahn Technology Center, a major expansion aimed at advanced manufacturing, engineering tech, and skilled trades. Maternal Health Focus: West Michigan highlighted lactation support groups and breastfeeding resources as part of back-to-school and community wellness coverage. Health Policy & Access: Oakland County commissioners approved up to $1.5M for Planned Parenthood contracts amid ongoing debate over reproductive health services. Air Quality Guidance: A mold and air quality expert urged Michiganders to check outdoor air pollution daily and limit exposure during poor-air days, citing wildfire smoke impacts.

Cyclospora Update: Michigan cyclosporiasis cases rose 11% in a week to nearly 14,000, with MDHHS reporting about 1,500 new cases and hundreds of hospitalizations; health officials say the outbreak is linked to iceberg lettuce and that the source hasn’t been fully confirmed. Food Safety & Public Guidance: The FDA says the largest U.S. cyclospora outbreak now involves 17 states, and Michigan’s earlier lettuce warning is easing as cases plateau, but officials urge caution. Access to Care & Nutrition: Michigan WIC expanded eligibility for a family of four to $61,050 in annual income, boosting support for pregnant and postpartum people and kids under 5. Back-to-School Vaccines: Monroe County is offering vaccination appointments ahead of the school year, highlighting rising pertussis cases statewide. Opioid Prevention Funding: MDHHS launched an initiative inviting local governments to coordinate opioid settlement spending on prevention, overdose risk reduction, treatment access, and recovery. Local Health Services: Dental Clinics North will stay open as leadership transitions to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, aiming to stabilize operations for patients and staff. Reproductive Health Funding: Oakland County commissioners approved up to $1.5 million for Planned Parenthood services after closures of nearby clinics. Community Health Risk: A mold and air quality expert urged Michiganders to check outdoor air daily and reduce exposure during pollution spikes, citing wildfire-smoke impacts. Mental Health Support: Kalamazoo officials recovered a body at Spring Valley Park and pointed residents to 988 for crisis help.

Childhood Vaccines: A new Trump executive order reshapes federal childhood vaccine recommendations into “all children,” “high-risk groups,” and “shared clinical decision-making,” with Michigan pediatricians saying the current schedule is still backed by research. Food Safety & Public Health: Michigan’s cyclosporiasis outbreak remains the big health story: the state reported 13,909 cases as of Aug. 13, with officials saying new reports and ER visits are easing, but experts warn it’s too soon to assume the source is fully resolved. Health IT & VA Care: The VA is seeking to extend its Oracle EHR modernization contract as deployment runs behind plan, with only 14 of 164 VA medical centers live as of July. Women’s Health Funding: Oakland County commissioners approved a $1.5 million Planned Parenthood contract for the Ferndale health center, despite sharp public pushback. School Health & Safety: Michigan districts are preparing for wireless device restrictions, while another report highlights ongoing seclusion and restraint concerns in special education. Air Quality: A mold and air quality expert urges Michiganders to check outdoor pollution daily and limit exposure during smoke-heavy stretches. Opioid Prevention: Livingston County is considering a program to analyze employee prescription data to flag opioid risk earlier.

Food Safety Watch: Whole Foods expanded its salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, pulling prepared dips and salsas sold in 12 states including Michigan, after earlier Taylor Farms recalls and a broader outbreak investigation. Public Health & Environment: Portage’s Ramona Park Beach closed temporarily after E. coli levels exceeded Michigan standards, with more water testing planned before reopening. Maternal Health & Costs: A Michigan program, Rx Kids, is expanding cash support for pregnant women and new families, with early data pointing to lower financial stress and improved maternal/infant outcomes. Mental Health in Care & Schools: University of Michigan is moving some first-semester LSA freshmen to pass/no-credit on transcripts starting fall 2027 to ease a “mental health crisis,” while grades still exist internally for advising and scholarships. Community Mental Health: Northern Lakes CMH is holding public hearings in September across multiple locations to shape a rebuilding plan for services and partnerships. Health Trends: A large study links endometriosis to higher type 2 diabetes risk, with the strongest association in certain subtypes. Air Quality Guidance: A Michigan mold/air quality expert urges daily outdoor air checks and indoor protection during pollution spikes, following wildfire-smoke alerts that hit the Great Lakes region.

Produce Safety: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño products in Michigan and 12 other states after a salmonella outbreak tied to peppers from Coast Citrus Distributors, urging shoppers to discard or return affected items. Cardiac Care: Trinity Health Ann Arbor became the first Midwest hospital to implant a next-generation leadless pacemaker in an FDA clinical study, aiming to improve how the heart’s chambers coordinate. Community Health Training: The Detroit Lions Foundation and the American Heart Association hosted CPR training at Ford Field, including hands-only CPR and AED education for residents and school staff. Mental Health & School Policy: University of Michigan is moving some first-semester students in LSA to pass-or-fail to ease mental health pressure, with grades not permanently affecting transcripts or GPAs. Pharmacy Access: A report highlights how pharmacy benefit managers and mail-order options are linked to more closures of Michigan pharmacies, raising concerns about access to in-person services. Back-to-School Anxiety: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan shared guidance for parents on spotting and managing anxiety as classes start. Local Health Tech: U-M selected a Ypsilanti Township site for a major research computing and data center, while township leaders question the project’s environmental impact and transparency. Patient Safety & Records: VA is seeking to extend its Oracle health record contract through 2031 as it continues EHR modernization efforts.

University of Michigan Mental Health Policy: U-M will switch many first-semester freshmen to pass/no credit instead of letter grades, aiming to ease pressure tied to anxiety. Foodborne Illness Watch: Michigan remains in the national spotlight as cyclosporiasis cases linked to contaminated produce are monitored; officials say guidance is evolving as outbreaks slow. Local Healthcare Access Politics: A Portage ballot petition would create a city health advisory committee, drawing pushback over unclear backing and “dark money” concerns. Pharmacy Access Crisis (Opinion): A Michigan rare-disease patient argues pharmacy access is a lifeline and warns tougher pharmacy rules could hurt people who can’t miss refills. Public Health & Safety: State and local officials urge residents to keep an eye out for invasive Asian longhorned beetles and avoid wetlands/sensitive habitats after a venomous snake bite incident. Swine Flu Monitoring: Kent County health officials ask people exposed to pigs at the Youth Fair to watch for flu-like symptoms after swine influenza was detected. Community Care Event: North Star Reach’s MOOSE-ic Festival returns Aug. 22 at its medically supported camp in Pinckney for families affected by serious childhood illness.

Food Safety Update: CDC says the national cyclospora outbreak has reached nearly 14,000 cases across 47 states, but experts note the specific recalled lettuce linked to the biggest wave is likely off shelves, lowering risk for Michigan shoppers—still, officials urge people to stay alert as reports continue. Public Health Watch: A drug-resistant fungus, Candida auris, is spreading in healthcare settings, with clinical cases reported in at least 27 states this year, raising concern for vulnerable patients. Local Health & Wellness: Meijer plans a new 159,000-square-foot supercenter in Plymouth Township opening Sept. 30, including a full-service pharmacy with drive-thru. Community Health Events: Grand Rapids African American Health Institute hosts its 18th Rhythm Run & Family Health Fair Aug. 15 with a 5K and free health resources. Michigan Health Policy: East Lansing is moving two charter amendments to the Nov. 3 ballot, including a proposed local healthcare committee. Health Care Legal/School: A Michigan appeals court is reconsidering a First Amendment challenge tied to a school’s gender-related policy, after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. In the News (Health-adjacent): Michigan State Police report a fatal pedestrian crash on US-41 near Baraga.