Researchers use data from Health and Retirement Study to create new health-tracking index for older Americans
February 19, 2026
ANN ARBOR — Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), researchers at the University of Michigan and Florida State University have developed a new, 10-item health survey to assess a variety of health conditions.The IAM+ index assesses numerous areas of an individual’s...
Justice after trauma? Race, red tape keep sexual assault victims from compensation
February 19, 2026
ANN ARBOR—Bureaucratic hurdles and racial disparities restrict access to victim compensation for adult survivors of sexual assault, deepen justice system inequities and compound trauma.The absence of police verification of a crime is the primary reason for rejection, representing 34.4% of...
Not all gigs are equal: Informal self-employment linked to lower pay, poorer health and instability
February 11, 2026
ANN ARBOR—Not all self-employment guarantees financial security, with informal arrangements posing the greatest risks to well-being for many workers. Using machine learning to classify self-employment, a new University of Michigan study analyzed narrative job descriptions from the...
Coffee and Donuts with the SRC Director Hosted by the Life Course Development Program
February 9, 2026
The Life Course Development (LCD) program hosted January’s Coffee and Donuts with the SRC Director. Pamela Davis-Kean and Noah Webster chatted about the work LCD does and how important all social ties are to healthy aging.Noah Webster’s research with the Life Course Development (LCD)...
The real world impact of ISR research: Philippa Clarke
February 2, 2026
In this video, Philippa Clarke, research professor in ISR’s Survey Research Center, discusses the importance of neighborhood factors in understanding how we can age well. I do work in understanding aging. In particular, I’m very interested in understanding how people live in their...
Family care expectations clash with shrinking availability, dementia needs
January 29, 2026
ANN ARBOR—Americans believe that the family as a whole—especially a spouse or partner—is responsible for caring for an older adult. Biological and stepchildren have the next highest levels of obligation, according to a new University of Michigan study. Even though with...
Center for Inequality Dynamics receives $5M gift from Stone Foundation
January 26, 2026
As economic disparities reach historic levels, the University of Michigan is renewing its commitment to investigating causes of social inequality. A $5 million gift from the Stone Foundation will allow the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center for Inequality Dynamics to sustain its critical work to...
Small uptick, consumer views hold negative
January 23, 2026
ANN ARBOR—Consumer sentiment lifted about 3.5 index points this month, with minor gains seen across all index components, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. While the overall improvement was small, it was broad-based across the population, seen across groups by...
Lingering legacy: Brazil’s ‘dictatorship gen’ faces premature aging
January 22, 2026
ANN ARBOR—Health disparities between Afro-Brazilians and their white peers are most severe in midlife, not old age. Growing up under authoritarian rule put these groups at a greater disadvantage than older generations who experienced early life in more democratic governments.A new University...
University of Michigan to lead landmark global mental health survey consortium, expanding to additional countries
January 20, 2026
The World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Consortium, which harnesses cross-national data to inform and support policies around education, interventions, and treatment, has now moved to the University of Michigan. This new phase is led by William Axinn, inaugural director of...
