Dear readers,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that we share with you the ninth volume of the Undergraduate Journal of Public Health at the University of Michigan. As the field of public health navigates increasing uncertainties, we remain dedicated and steadfast in publishing high-quality undergraduate research addressing complex health inequities. We proudly examine multifaceted public health issues through scientific, social, and policy-based lenses, featuring authors from the University of Michigan and beyond highlighting challenges facing the United States and the global public health community. Notably, volume nine features topics on AI technology, autistic women’s maternal health, assisted suicide, firearm violence, refugee health, and HIV research, among others.

We are thrilled to publish student authors integrating perspectives from medicine, policy, and the social sciences into public health practice across local, national, and international levels. These evidence-based articles reflect a passion to advance education, advocacy, and inclusion in healthcare. Amid reduced investments in the public health sector, this research remains essential to promote equitable and culturally competent solutions.

We would like to express our gratitude to our devoted undergraduate editorial board for their commitment to providing insightful feedback and strengthening literary standpoints in articles and blog posts. Their dedication in bringing together the articles seen throughout this journal truly enhances the quality and impact of our publication.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to our faculty advisor, Dr. Ella August, for her mentorship and unwavering support throughout the publication process. Additionally, we would like to thank our Ph.D. reviewers for their knowledge and expertise, which enriched the breadth of our articles. We are grateful for our talented cover artist, Kelly Conlon, whose creative work thoughtfully captures this year’s themes while honoring the journal’s vision. We also thank MPublishing for their continued patience and partnership. Furthermore, we extend our gratitude to the University of Michigan School of Public Health for recognizing us as an official sponsored student organization. Their investment and support strengthens our foundations and solidifies the longevity of our journal as a leading organization in undergraduate public health scholarship.

Lastly, the Undergraduate Journal of Public Health wishes to extend our sincerest appreciation to our extraordinary authors. Your research continues to inform and expand our understanding of the public health field, inspiring us to remain curious and think critically about the evolving factors impacting health outcomes. Your backgrounds, experiences, and interests give us confidence in the integrity of public health research and in our goal of pursuing a healthier world for all. We wish all of our authors the best in their future endeavors. We congratulate you on your accomplishment of becoming published authors and look forward to seeing your continued success recognized and celebrated.

We reflect on our time leading the Undergraduate Journal of Public Health with great enjoyment and pride in contributing to a publication championing academic excellence. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity and are optimistic to be among emerging leaders in the public health community.

Sincerely,

Isabelle Duong and Samantha Riordan

Co-Editors-in-Chief, 2024–2025