It’s a Sunday night, and you’re sitting in the emergency room with your sick kid. The waiting room is packed — coughs and sneezes everywhere. Your child has a fever, so you wait. You worry.
Four months later, the health department calls. Your infant was exposed to measles that night. Now you’re facing weeks of medical monitoring.
The system worked: They contained the outbreak, conducted contact tracing, and prevented it from escalating into hundreds of cases. But we are spending enormous resources to achieve what used to happen easily through herd immunity.
Oakland County saw two measles cases last year and handled them well. But the county is now spending an extra $300,000 on vaccines even as vaccination rates keep sliding — Oakland County’s childhood MMR rate sits around 81%, well below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
Kate Guzmán, health officer for the Oakland County Health Division, joined WDET’s Robyn Vincent to talk about the hidden costs of outbreaks, and what communities lose when prevention falls behind.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
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Michigan elects a new governor this year and WDET is talking to the candidates vying to replace term-limited Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.
One of those in the crowded Republican field for governor is former Michigan Speaker of the House Tom Leonard. He wants to lower taxes and reduce government spending.
But Leonard says he’s also running to protect the future for Michigan’s children, including his own kids.
Listen: GOP governor candidate Tom Leonard speaks with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter
The following interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Tom Leonard: There’s three very simple reasons why I’m doing this. And those are Hannah, Thomas, and Danny. That’s our nine-year-old, our six-year-old, and our now 20-month-old.
When you look at the state of our state right now, the unemployment, the lack of income growth, a quarter of our population right now suffers from some type of mental health issue. Half of them are not getting treatment. The list goes on.
We are doing this because the last thing that we want is for one of our kids to come to us in the next 15-20 years and say, “Dad, we’d love to stay in the greatest state in the country. But unfortunately we have to leave because there’s no opportunity for us here in Michigan.” That’s why we’re doing this.
Education serves as a foundation
Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: If you were elected governor, how would you try to address some of that?
TL: There are so many things that we have got to get done to turn this state around. One of the biggest issues that I’m focused on right now is education. Fourth graders right now in this state cannot read at a proficient level. Quinn, that is our foundation, that is our base. And I can tell you as a former prosecutor, if somebody has to drop out of school because they’re illiterate, you have created a pipeline to a welfare check or a prison cell.
I believe we need to make Michigan a right-to-work state again. Growth states in this country are right-to-work states. I believe we need to phase out the income tax.
I hear many of these candidates out there gaslighting people across the state, saying that they’re going to eliminate the state income tax on day one. That’s despite the fact that the legislature isn’t even sworn in until nearly two weeks after the governor comes into office.
I would say look at my past track record and my history. That’s what we did when I was speaker. And when I’m the state’s next governor that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to get these big-ticket items across the finish line.
Mental health crisis
QK: You mentioned education. What other issues do you think are vitally important at the moment to Michigan?
TL: I seem to be the one candidate out there right now that’s talking about this mental health crisis. As I said, a quarter of our population suffers from some type of mental health issue. Half of them are not getting treatment.
I believe it starts with ending the stigma that comes attached when somebody is diagnosed with a mental health issue. Think about this for a moment. If you or somebody is diagnosed with something physically, what do they typically do? They go to their friends, they go to their family, they go to their place of worship, they ask for prayer, they start treatment.
Sadly, when people are diagnosed with a mental health issue, they are scared. They don’t know what to do. We’ve got to end the stigma that comes attached.
Energy policy reform
TL: Energy costs. This is a big one right now as I travel the state. I’m hearing more and more of people that can no longer afford their electricity bills. Frankly, we’ve got a broken system. We’ve got a Michigan Public Service Commission that no longer works for the people of this state. They work for two monopoly utilities. They sign off on every single rate increase that they ask for.
Enough is enough. We are the one campaign that has put forth a plan to not only bring choice and competition to the state and the utility monopolies, but also shake up the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Right now those regulators, who dictate our rates, are three unelected bureaucrats appointed by the governor. That is way too much power given to the governor. The governor should never control those appointments. Our plan calls for increasing the Michigan Public Service Commission from three to five members, only giving the governor two appointments.
The other appointments would be made by the attorney general, the speaker of the Michigan house and the senate majority leader. These are the types of bold solutions we are putting on the table to address the problems that the people of this state are facing.
Data centers feed into energy problems
QK: There’s been concerns raised by some people about the possibility of rate increases and energy or water problems from the advent of data centers across the state. From some of your past statements, it sounds like you’re not exactly a fan of data centers.
TL: The one being proposed right now that’s being built in Saline Township is 1.4 gigawatts. That is equivalent to the energy used by a million homes. There’s now one being proposed in Van Buren that’s nearly double that, with energy use equal to 2 million homes. Quinn, there are only 4.5 million homes in this entire state. Two industrial-sized data centers alone that they’re proposing would equal the energy for 3 million homes.
I don’t want these things driving-up our energy rates. We need to end the tax subsidies that come attached with these things.
The legislature a couple years ago passed legislation to give tens of millions of dollars to these big tech data centers. They should not be taking money out of our pockets and putting it in the hands of big tech to go out and buy up our farmland. So, end the subsidies.
We need to ban the use of non-disclosure agreements. You’ve got these local governments that are signing these NDA’s. The local citizens have no idea who’s going to be built in their area. They have no idea who’s going to be running these data centers.
These data centers do not create long-term jobs. Yet there is the risk that they are going to drive up our energy rates. And every time I push back on this energy issue, people say, “Well, they’re going to be regulated.” And then I ask the question, “Who’s going to regulate them?” “The Michigan Public Service Commission.” And I say, “So the same three regulators that have given us some of the highest electricity rates in the country, the same three regulators that refuse to tell DTE Energy and Consumers Energy ‘No,’ we are now going to allow to regulate these data centers?” I don’t think so.
I fear that they’re going to drive up our rates. We’ve already got the highest rates in the Midwest and some of the highest in the country. We cannot afford to pay more on our electricity bills.
What to do about political division
QK: It’s no secret how politically divided not only lawmakers but the country and the state as a whole are nowadays. Do you think it’s possible that anyone who would be governor will be able to bring people together at this point in time? Or is it just simply a matter of, “We’ve got to go forward with our policies and hope the other side comes along at some point?”
TL: I believe Democrats gave Republicans a playbook two years ago for what happens when you wake up every day and you have no vision and your only focus is hatred of one person. You lose. And I believe, as a Republican, if Republicans wake up every day and their only focus is hatred of Democrats, they will lose.
They’ve got to put forth a vision. That’s why every single day I’m focused on tackling problems, not people. I’m going to stay bold in my convictions, I’m a strong conservative. I don’t shy away from that. But there is nothing wrong with working across the aisle when it comes to accomplishing things for our state. We’ve actually labeled it the “Dan Campbell” approach.
You may recall when Coach Campbell became the coach of the Lions and he stood on that stage at the first press conference. He didn’t focus on six decades of failure. He didn’t cast blame. He didn’t point the finger. He just simply said, “We’ve got a problem here. And with a lot of grit, a lot of determination, working together with a positive vision every single day, we’re going to turn this program around.”
If Coach Campbell was able to turn the absolute worst sports franchise in the history of all mankind around with that type of vision, we can do the same thing for this state.
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St. Clair County’s medical director, Dr. Remington Nevin, is re-shaping the county’s public health. He has helped lower the barrier for school vaccine waiver applications and fought to eliminate fluoridated drinking water in the county.
His positions on a number of public health issues reflect a growing skepticism of medical doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. They also reflect many of the views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Nevin tells Bridge Michigan’s Eli Newman he welcomes the comparison. “To the extent that some residents may be comparing us, I would consider that a great compliment and honor. One underestimates him and the strength of his convictions at their peril.”
Nevin received medical training at Johns Hopkins University and has been the part-time medical director of St. Clair County since 2023.
Eli Newman, health reporter for Bridge Michigan, joined The Metro to share his reporting on Dr. Nevin and how he is changing public health policy and perceptions in St. Clair County.
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Hamtramck Police located the student and made an arrest. Hamtramck Police Chief Hussein Farhat said that the incident happened at 7:08 a.m. He said a weapon was recovered.
Hamtramck School Board President Abdulmalik Algahaim says there will be additional measures for safety and security during pick-up and drop-off. The police department will also increase security measures.
The kidnapper was caught within 30 minutes of the incident.
Additional headlines for Monday, April 13, 2026
Joe Louis Greenway community meetings
Community meetings are being held regarding expansion of the Woodmere part of the Joe Louis Greenway. The next virtual meetings are April 21 and April 29.
The General Services Department is holding the meetings to discuss the designs and construction on Woodmere Street for a bike and walking connection between Fort Street and Vernor Highway.
The project has been funded through a $10 million grant and is expected to be completed in 2027.
Outlier Earth Day event
The Outlier Media collective is hosting an Earth Day seed packing social this month. The hands-on volunteer event is in partnership with Keep Growing Detroit’s Garden Resource Program.
There will be free non-alcoholic beverages by the Gardenside Brewery and refreshments by Vámonos. The seed packing event takes place April 22nd from noon-2 p.m at Vámonos.
Healthy Homes
The City of Detroit is hosting another Healthy Homes resource event. The next one takes place Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Services will include HOPE application assistance, health screenings and more.
People can schedule a Lyft service to attend by calling 866-313-2520.
Guest speakers include Abraham Aiyash, former MI State Representative and House Majority Leader and Tomena Rawls, the Statutory Vice chair of the 12th Congressional District Democrats.
The discussion will be held on April 25 at 11 a.m.
Arab and Chaldean American Panel at WSU
The Arab American Women’s Business Council is hosting a panel this week. The networking mixer will host women leaders who will share insights on navigating the professional world as Arab and Chaldean women.
The event takes place on April 15 at Wayne State University Student Center, Room 775 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we speak to Elon Geffrard, Birth Detroit Co-founder and Perinatal Support and Education Director.
We discuss how doulas, midwives, and birthing centers are providing alternative support services for women to give birth in Detroit. That leads to better health outcomes, including fewer infant and maternal mortalities in communities of color.
Listen to the episode using the media player above.
One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear. Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today.
Nargis Hakim Rahman is the Civic Reporter at 101.9 WDET. She works with the Documenters program to increase civic engagement. Rahman graduated from Wayne State University, where she was a part of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity. Rahman started as an intern at WDET in 2010. She participated in the Feet in Two Worlds food journalism fellowship with WDET's Detroit Storymakers project in 2018.
Rahman is a Bangladeshi American who was raised in Metro Detroit. She is passionate about community journalism in the Greater Detroit area. She hopes to give American Muslims and minorities a voice in the press.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield recently appointed Ali Abazeed as the city’s new Chief Public Health Officer, saying he would be a part of creating a “health in all policies” approach to government.
“We’re really excited to get up and going and also to continue the good work that the department has done over the years, but also to upgrade the software of what public health can look like in the city of Detroit,” he shares.
Abazeed previously created and led the city of Dearborn’s health department. He also worked as a public health advisor at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Past policies shape today’s health issues
He says health is impacted by housing quality and environment. He hopes to work with the department’s staff of 280 people to create better health outcomes for Detroiters.
“The challenges that Detroit faces from a health perspective, those aren’t inevitable… they’re created by decades, if not centuries of decisions made by man, policies that have been excluding people from opportunities,” he says.
Ali Abazeed previously created and served as the Dearborn Department of Health’s Chief Public Health Officer.
Abazeed says the city focuses on a harm reduction approach by working with all city departments to connect the dots for people who live in the city. He says part of that will include having more health department officials out in the city.
“90% of your life expectancy happens in the communities where you live, learn, work, worship, play… then it requires us to take that 90% collaborative approach across everything that we do at the city,” he says.
Abazeed says Detroiters face health burdens like asthma, which he says require a multifaceted response.
He says everyone is entitled to good health.
“Understanding who has been disqualified, who has been sort of pushed to the side, and whether that’s… in Washington or Dearborn and now in Detroit, I think the work is relatively the same, even if it does take on a little bit of a different scale,” he says.
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Last October, Ground Services at Wayne State University discovered an infestation of bark beetles on trees in Gullen Mall.
Donna Reincke, Associate Director of Grounds for Wayne State University, explains how these tiny insects caused great harm.
“They burrow into the tree trunks and leave these tiny little holes, maybe about the size of a pencil eraser. With that, the insect infestation introduced a fungus [blue stain fungus] into the tree, which stopped the tree from being able to take up water, and killed a couple of the trees.”
Blue stain fungus on wood
The fungus spread to surrounding trees and left them too damaged to save.
Reincke says sadly, they had to remove 11 pine trees in Gullen Mall, as dead trees pose a major safety risk.
“We do remove them to avoid any accidents from happening, and it’s just a safety issue with the risk of it falling, and dead branches falling down,” explains Reincke.
Expanding campus tree canopy
With the help of many volunteers from The Greening of Detroit and Wayne State University’s Office of Sustainability, Reincke is happy to share that they replanted 30 trees in the same area.
Reincke says, “even though the trees are smaller than the ones that were removed, we wanted to make sure we still did right by planting trees that could fill in the canopy, and it was a really fun, successful event.”
In addition to Gullen Mall, Reincke stated they planted 71 trees at Wayne State University’s athletic complex, on the corner of Warren Avenue and Trumbull Street.
Over these two spaces, they planted Hackberry, Kentucky Coffee ‘Decaf’, Bald Cypress, ‘Autumn Splendor’ Buckeye, Allegheny Serviceberry, London Plane, Blackgum, Tulip Tree, Basswood, Accolade Cherry, and Swamp White Oak.
Wayne State University’s Ground Services and Office of Sustainability are partnering up again to host a tree planting event for Arbor Day, April 24th, 2026.
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Michigan does not currently participate in a federal program that gives tax breaks to people for donating money to nonprofits that award scholarships for tutoring and private school tuition. Governor Whitmer is weighing whether to opt into the federal initiative.
If adopted, taxpayers in Michigan would receive a $1,700 tax break parents could use for private school tuition, tutors or after school programs.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently stopped in Hamtramck to promote the program.
Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti says the program might help kids on an individual basis,“But I would just continue to say, you know, as a nation, we have to think about at scale investments. How do we improve institutions that benefit the majority of our children, not isolated improvement?”
Teachers unions and Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern that the program would funnel money into private schools, and away from public schools and their students.
Vitti says funding public schools should be the priority. “I’d rather see us use taxpayer dollars and not decrease taxpayer dollars in investing in large scale systems that benefit the majority of American children, not individual children or families.”
Right now, people in Michigan can still make the donation and get the tax break; however, students in the state would not be eligible for the scholarships. Using public money for private schools is prohibited by the state constitution.
Gasoline prices surged overnight. AAA said Michigan drivers paid an average of $4.01 for a gallon of regular unleaded this morning. That’s 15 cents higher than it was yesterday. The national average is $4.14 a gallon, the highest in almost 4 years.
GasBuddy petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says escalations between the U.S. and Iran have intensified concerns about disruptions in oil shipments. He adds prices will likely remain high until Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an order last week allowing Michigan gas stations to sell cheaper winter fuel blends through the end of June.
Delta expands flights to Europe
Delta Air Lines is expanding flights from Metro Airport to Europe. The Detroit Free Press reports Delta will offer daily service to Rome in November and March, allowing passengers to take advantage of off-peak travel.
Public Health Week
It’s Public Health Week in Detroit. The city’s health department is offering free services including health screenings, immunizations, lead testing, and overdose prevention resources.
Chief Public Health Officer Ali Abazeed says health department staff will host free events through Saturday at various community centers. The goal is to make it easier for residents to get health care by bringing it to them.
Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Seven people are confirmed to have contracted measles in Washtenaw County with exposure sites in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Canton. None of those people were vaccinated against the disease.
Vaccination rates have declined since 2024, despite decades of medical practice and data that show the MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is safe and highly effective.
Last year, an advisory panel appointed by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) adopt new restrictions on the MMRV vaccine, which provides protection against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. The panel advised that children under 4 should get protection against those diseases in separate vaccines.
When the population’s vaccine rate dips below the level of ‘herd immunity’, the chance of a measles outbreak increases substantially.
What’s stopping people from vaccinating themselves or their kids, and who is most at risk when an outbreak happens?
Dr. Rupali Limaye is an Associate Professor at the George Mason College of Public Health. She is an expert in vaccine behavior, hesitancy and acceptance. She spoke with Cary Junior II on The Metro.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
In 2022, the Supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade which eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion for pregnant people. After the ruling, the number of vasectomy consultations and procedures increased.
In the first six months after the Dobbs decision, vasectomy rates nationwide increased nearly 60% in men under 30 years old, according to Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Abortions are legal in Michigan. But renewed interest in vasectomies still prompted the healthcare provider to announce plans in January to resume its vasectomy services—ten years after the organization suspended the procedure because they did not have the resources to support it.
Vasectomies are just one small part of the larger umbrella that makes up reproductive health, so the growing interest among men to undergo the procedure doesn’t necessarily mean men understand more about reproductive health overall.
Dominick Shattuck, a community psychologist, amen’s health fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men, and faculty member in the OBGYN department of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, joins the show to discuss how men can take on a larger role in reproductive health.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
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What happens when the regulatory systems we depend on to protect us break down?
In February, President Trump signed an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act — a wartime authority — to guarantee the domestic supply of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, the world’s most widely used weedkiller. The order extends legal immunity to its producers. It came one day after Bayer proposed a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of cancer lawsuits without admitting wrongdoing.
The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a probable carcinogen.
Last month on The Metro, Harvard historian Naomi Oreskes explained how the landmark safety study behind Roundup was ghostwritten by Monsanto, cited by regulators worldwide for 25 years, and finally retracted after she and researcher Alexander Kaurov documented its influence. Since then, she has identified more scientific research ghostwritten by Monsanto.
To discuss, Oreskes, author of “Merchants of Doubt,” returned to The Metro to join Robyn Vincent.
Hear the full conversation using the media player above.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
It’s a medical mystery with destructive elements. Our cells divide and grow with unstoppable force. They seize surrounding tissue. They invade from within.
That’s how cancer works. And cases of younger people getting cancer — folks under the age of 50 — have been growing. Someone born in 1990 is now four times more likely to get rectal cancer, and two times more likely to get colon cancer than someone born in 1950.
Why? And, what is it like to be a doctor in metro Detroit fielding these cases?
Dr. Thomas Kelly is a gastroenterologist at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. He spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent about different dietary and environmental factors that may be contributing to rising cancer rates.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
One-of-a-kind podcasts from WDET bring you engaging conversations, news you need to know and stories you love to hear. Keep the conversations coming. Please make a gift today.
About 10,000 registered nurses at Corewell Health East hospitals voted to authorize a strike, saying they have been unable to negotiate their first contract despite months of bargaining with the hospital system. Nearly 90% of members voted for the strike.
Members are asking for better nurse-to-patient ratios, wage increases, affordable health insurance coverage and improved workplace safety. The nurses voted to unionize in November 2024 and began negotiations in June 2025.
They are represented by Teamsters Local 2024 and work at Corewell Health East hospitals in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, Trenton, Troy, Wayne, and Southfield.
In a statement, a Corewell spokesperson says it has already agreed to raise wages.
Additional headlines for Thursday, March 19, 2026
Detroit block club meeting
Detroit is having a city-wide block club meeting. The Department of Neighborhoods is inviting all Detroit neighbors, community leaders, and block clubs to engage with city leaders. The event will be held Tuesday March 24 at the Northwest Activities Center. The event runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00. Residents and community leaders can find resources and meet with various city departments.
Digital marketing seminar
The Arab American Women’s Business Council is hosting a Digital Marketing, SEO, and AI Seminar. Learn about business strategies, search engine optimization, AI tools and tips for running an effective digital campaign.
The seminar is open to all. It will be held March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 13846 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn. Tickets are $25.
Interfaith Leadership Council hosts workshop
The Interfaith Leadership Council of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a workshop called “Bridging the Divide: From Division to Belonging.” The workshop focuses on exploring practical ways to find connection with people, understanding the need for belonging and nurturing community.
The event will be held Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at Madonna University Welcome Center in Livonia. Tickets are $35.
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Corewell Health is accused of failing to address a nurse practitioner who publicly described herself as a “proud Islamophobe” and shared social media posts calling for discrimination against Muslims, according to a complaint with the state.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Cradling his newborn daughter in his lap in their Indianapolis home, JaKobi Burton’s love for the new lady in his life is evident with each caress.
The first-time dad’s commitment started months earlier. Burton attended every medical appointment and took classes with Dads to Doulas, a program created by the organization Dear Fathers that teaches Black fathers-to-be how to provide physical, mental and spiritual support up to and after childbirth.
He and his wife, Crystal Wilmot-Burton, understood that the pregnancy came with immense risk, not just because they were in their 40s but also because they are Black. Federal health data shows Black women are almost 3.5 times more likely than white women to die around the time of childbirth.
Health professionals and advocates hope that by giving Black fathers-to-be the tools to be more hands-on — through government-funded programs and nonprofit center resources — they can cut into those odds. Organizers say there has been a noticeable shift in the attitudes of some Black men who now openly discuss their pregnancy fears and insecurities.
“I want you to know that I was involved and that I was looking out for you from the very beginning, and I’m always going to be your biggest protector,” Burton tells his 1-month-old daughter. “That’s what I did from the beginning of this experience, trying to learn as much as I could.”
Paternal involvement is ‘directly correlated with better outcomes’
Health disparities, racism and equal access to prenatal care are among the contributing factors for the disparities in mortality rates among women of different races, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Two recent viral cellphone videos — including one in Indiana — show hospital staff dismissing the concerns of Black women in labor.
The maternal mortality rate for Black women soars above that of other racial groups. They suffered 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. White women experienced 14.5. Hispanic and Asian women faced 12.4 and 10.7, respectively.
The National Healthy Start Association, which was created in 1998 to help improve infant and maternal mortality rates, has “fatherhood practitioners” at its 116 project sites. They, along with case managers, offer men assistance including webinars, a texting service and even cooking lessons.
Kenneth Scarborough, who has been the NHSA’s fatherhood and men’s health consultant for 10 years, has noticed a shift toward including male partners in the efforts to preserve the health of pregnant women.
“There’s more research that is being done to be able to change those narratives, without a shadow of a doubt,” Scarborough said. “The challenge with that is still getting these institutions to understand the value of making sure that Dad is there and he is at the table.”
Doctors still leave Black fathers “on the fringes of the conversation” while society often codifies them as “scary and rough,” said Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, founder and director of the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice at Tufts University.
She said she has heard countless anecdotes of fathers being ignored in the exam room, even though paternal involvement is “directly correlated with better outcomes.”
JaKobi Burton assembles a baby crib at his home in Indianapolis, Oct. 17, 2025, three days before the birth of his daughter, Phoenix RyZen Reign Burton. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)
Mothers- and fathers-to-be face racism in medical institutions
Black patients are frequently advised to seek out an OB-GYN who looks like them, and Wilmot-Burton did just that.
“I thought maybe she would be more caring, be more willing to listen to my issues, which she was,” she said.
But Black doctors make up a tiny share of OB-GYNs nationwide. Of the estimated 43,700 practicing OB-GYNs, 7.5% are Black women, according to 2023 data from the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Even fewer — 2.3% — are Black men.
JaKobi Burton looks at his pregnant wife, Crystal Wilmot-Burton, during a prenatal appointment in Indianapolis, Oct. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)
Deborah Frazier, the CEO of National Healthy Start, said medical organizations must let go of any stigma about paternal involvement. Black and brown fathers still face stereotypes of absenteeism.
“We have data and interviews with fathers, and those fathers have told us that they wanted to be there with their partners, and they wanted be present for their births,” Frazier said.
Charles Johnson IV founded 4Kira4Moms in 2017 after his wife, Kira, bled to death during a cesarean section at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles. Johnson sued the hospital in 2022, saying she died because of a culture of racism.
Fathers should be able to walk the line between assertive and aggressive while still being a “force in the room,” the group’s executive director Gabrielle Albert said.
“What if you happen to be 6-foot-5 and 200-something pounds? If you speak up, what’s gonna happen?” Albert said. “Let’s role-play conversations. How do you push back against the doctor?”
Crystal Wilmot-Burton holds their sleeping newborn daughter, Phoenix RyZen Reign Burton, as her husband, JaKobi Burton, kneels next to her at their home in Indianapolis, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)
From dad to doula
In August — two months before Wilmot-Burton gave birth — Burton was one of a dozen prospective dads holding a Black baby doll at a Dads to Doulas workshop. Facilitator Kyra Betts Patton tells them studies show present fathers-to-be can lower the chances of premature births.
“The largest time frame for maternal mortality, you’re looking at 43 to 100 days after you’ve had a baby. No one’s there but the partner,” Patton said.
Burton said the classes gave him the courage to advocate throughout the pregnancy, and that he took a checklist of questions from the class to every appointment.
JaKobi Burton cradles his newborn daughter, Phoenix RyZen Reign Burton, on his shoulder at his home in Indianapolis, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)
“I pushed hard prior to the delivery to make sure that our birth plan was followed, even though it wasn’t completely. But she (Phoenix) still turned out great and was delivered successfully,” said Burton. He also took classes with the Indiana Breastfeeding Coalition.
Wilmot-Burton gives her husband credit for taking these workshops while also working and attending grad school. His presence was vital, especially when she felt unwell or was nervous.
“I would encourage other Black women to make sure their partners are on board to attend some classes or read books,” she said, “and definitely go to as many appointments as they can.”
Tang reported from Phoenix.
First-time dad JaKobi Burton holds his newborn daughter, Phoenix RyZen Reign Burton, at their home in Indianapolis, Nov. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Obed Lamy)
Children living through the latest war in the Middle East or seeing images of the conflict may need help making sense of events that many adults find unnerving. Exposure to war, even if it is indirect, can affect how kids think, feel and behave, according to mental health experts.
Child psychologists and development specialists encourage parents to check in with their children, make time for age-appropriate conversations and to correct misinformation without going into excessive detail.
“Sometimes adults think if they don’t talk about something that is difficult, than it doesn’t exist. But we know that’s not the reality in children’s lives,” said Rebecca Smith, the global head of child protection at Save the Children, an international aid and advocacy organization. “Ignoring or avoiding the topic of conflict can lead to children feeling lost, alone and scared. … It is essential to have open and honest conversations with children to help them process what is happening.”
Below are suggestions for having conversations with children about war and its impacts.
Create a safe space, then listen and validate feelings
Experts recommend starting with what a child might know about what is happening in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Sudan or other parts of the world before attempting to address any feelings of fear, sadness, anger or anxiety.
Some children may not know that fighting has escalated between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran and its proxies on the other. Other kids may be more aware than their families realize and suppress their emotions. Children visiting or living in Middle Eastern countries directly impacted will have seen weapons light up the sky and may know people killed or have to leave their homes.
“For some children where missiles are now visible in the skies, this might be an entirely new and terrifying experience,” Smith said. “When events like this happen, they disrupt a child and family’s sense of safety. What once felt stable and secure may suddenly feel uncertain.”
To help children work through their emotions, the trusted adults in their lives also need to take care of themselves, according to experts. Guidance from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network says adults sharing their own feelings with children can be an opportunity to convey personal beliefs and values about how to treat others. The key is to not assume what children might be thinking or feeling.
If children do not want to talk or are not ready, experts suggest adults remain patient and tell children they are there for them.
“It is necessary to respect child’s ability to refuse communication, their ability not to talk or not to tell about something. Because they can have their own feelings, their own states, which they might not want to share,” child psychologist Nataliia Sosnovenko said, speaking in Ukrainian. Sosnovenko works with Voices of Children, a Ukrainian organization that provides psychological support and documents children’s experiences in the country during the yearslong war with Russia.
Some children might share what they have seen or heard, how they feel or ask questions when given an opportunity. Experts say this is when adults should validate their feelings and address what’s happening honestly while taking their ages and maturity levels into account.
Let their age guide the conversation
The American Psychological Association recommends giving kids basic, age-appropriate information about war and conflict, and addressing any upsetting images, headlines or conversations they were exposed to without going into details that might make them unnecessarily anxious. But ultimately, parents know their children best, experts say.
Families who have loved ones in the region may need to take the extra time to discuss the safety of their relatives and friends, and the difficulty of uncertainty. Families in the region themselves may need to have a plan in place for what to do if they become separated. Experts with Save the Children say to keep it simple and to practice the plan calmly.
Depending on how young, some children can understand the idea that two countries are fighting. But young children living abroad may not be able to distinguish between what they see on screens and what is happening nearby. For children in the U.S., the Iran war can seem much closer than it is if they are frequently seeing images on TV or social media, meaning they may need additional reassurance they are safe from danger.
Older children are likely to understand war and its consequences, which means they might be more concerned and have more questions, the American Psychological Association says. Adults may want to consider focusing on what is within their control and giving children some agency, such as supporting humanitarian efforts, staying informed and addressing misinformation.
UNICEF, the United Nations agency that provides humanitarian aid and long-term support to children worldwide, says it is OK to not have all the answers.
In Lebanon, some families have sought refuge since Saturday in a brick school building. Nora Ingdal, Save the Children’s Lebanon Country Director, says children there are asking several questions about the reason for conflict and when things might return to normal.
“This one daughter was clinging to her mother and looking up to her mom and asking, ‘Mom, why are they fighting? Why are they attacking us?’ The mother looks at me, but has no answer. Then she’s asking, ‘When are we gonna go home?’ Again, the mom looked at me,” Ingdal said. “I said to her, ‘It’s all right to say that you don’t know, you cannot guarantee anything, but I’m here with you.’”
Limit unnecessary exposure and use this as a teaching opportunity
While some global agencies say children should be aware of what is happening in the world, experts say adults still have a responsibility to keep youngsters safe and limit unnecessary exposure.
Parents are encouraged to pay attention to how exposed children are to the news. The younger the child, the less exposure they should have, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Some agencies recommend switching off the news entirely or limiting conversations about distressing events with other adults if children can hear. Others recommend using the opportunity to educate children on the importance of news, understanding where to find accurate facts and how to identify when something is not true or deceiving.
Save the Children says caregivers can model responsible digital behavior, encourage kids not to spread harmful or graphic information and remind them to think twice before sharing content that is possibly inaccurate or emotionally triggering.
It is important for caregivers of children living in conflict zones to remember that some kids do not know a time before war and do not have the ability to disconnect from what is happening around them, Sosnovenko said. That’s where professional help might support conversations and education.
“During the war, the types of people who come to us have changed,” she said. “Thanks to the fact that the psychological culture of the population is improving, people began to understand that therapy is important. These days, help of a psychologist is needed by most people and children as well.”
AP journalist Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this story.
Children hold a sign protesting war against Iran during an antiwar demonstration at Dealey Plaza in downtown Dallas, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Mayor Mary Sheffield has hired Dearborn’s former Chief Public Health Officer to fulfill the same role in Detroit. Ali Abazeed is credited with building Dearborn’s public health department from the ground up. He also worked in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the pandemic.
Abazeed says he is looking for bold ideas to improve public health in Detroit. He is credited with achieving a 60% reduction in drug overdoses and expanding air quality testing in the city of Dearborn. Abazeed also brought the Rx Kids program to Dearborn, the same program Mayor Sheffield launched in Detroit earlier this year.
Additional headlines from Monday, March 2, 2026
DPSCD offers Ramadan meals to students
Detroit Public Schools Community District is offering Ramadan meals to students fasting during the month-long holiday. Meals are available for pick up between 2 and 3:30pm from school cafeterias.
Each meal package includes one breakfast and one lunch distributed to students who attend school that day. Ramadan meals are available school days until March 17.
Temple Beth El tour
Temple Beth El is opening its doors to the community for an exploration of history and faith. Attendees will learn about Judaism and the history of the Temple Beth El congregation and it’s impact on southeastern Michigan.
The evening includes a tour of the synagogue and a meal. The event is Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m. It’s a part of the Interfaith Leadership Council of Metro Detroit’s Interfaith Odysseys program. Registration is $35 for individuals and $50 for families.
Southwest Detroit Loteria fundraiser
Community members and Wayne State University alumni are invited to play a Southwest Detroit edition of Loteria Wednesday. The event is a fundraiser for the joint alumni association for Wayne State’s Latino en Marcha, Chicano Boricua Studies and Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies programs.
This version of Loteria showcases people and businesses in Southwest Detroit. There will be Loteria-inspired merchandise for sale connected to each program. Funds support the Dr. Jorge Chinea Endowment.
A $100 donation buys a Loteria board. The event is Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation at 2835 Bagley Street.
Lunar eclipse
Metro Detroiters will be able to see a total lunar eclipse Tuesday morning…if the weather cooperates.
The moon will enter the Earth’s shadow overnight, and a partial eclipse will begin around 4:50 a.m. Totality will last for about an hour between 6 and 7 a.m., during which the moon will appear to be red.
Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.
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New research shows the presence of trees where people live may significantly impact human heart health.
The results find that those living in greener neighborhoods have lower risks of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Peter James is a lead researcher of the study at the University of California – Davis.
Using over 350 million Google Street View images analyzed with deep learning, James’s team identified street-level vegetation and linked it to long-term health data.
However, areas with more grass were linked to higher cardiovascular risk.
James says trees help by cooling neighborhoods, filtering air, reducing noise, and promoting activity and social interaction. “We’ve evolved as human beings to be in nature….this is our natural setting, not staring at a computer screen….that’s where we thrive… out in trees and nature,” James says.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
People voted for President Donald Trump, in part, because he promised to shake things up. Change is happening in many spaces, including those related to public health.
Kate Guzman is the Oakland County Health Officer. She spoke with The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent about the current measles outbreaks, the rise in flu cases, and what she’s doing to try to keep people healthy during President Trump’s second term in office.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
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