Chris Holman welcomes Karley Abramson, Research Associate-Health Policy, Citizens Research Council of Michigan, Livonia, MI, but working out of Lansing.

Welcome Karley, remind us about the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and your role at the CRC?

Your new report connects social determinants of health directly to Michigan’s economic performance. What should business leaders understand about how poor population health affects workforce productivity and long-term competitiveness?

Michigan’s health outcomes are lagging behind neighboring states and even international peers. From a business perspective, what are the cost implications—such as absenteeism, healthcare spending, and labor force participation—of failing to address these root causes?

The research shows a strong link between financial resources and health outcomes. How might Michigan employers play a role in improving these conditions through wages, benefits, or community investment strategies?

As the report highlights the interconnectedness of social determinants of health, what partnerships between the private sector and policymakers could most effectively improve health and economic prosperity statewide?

If Michigan wants to reverse deteriorating trends, what business-aligned policy changes or corporate practices does your research suggest could move the needle the fastest?

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Lack of Financial Resources Central to Michiganders Lagging Health Outcomes

New Research: Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan

Livonia, MI, Nov. 18, 2025 – Citizens Research Council of Michigan today released exhaustive research that drills down to root causes of why Michiganders suffer from worse health outcomes than our fellow citizens in comparable, neighboring states, across the U.S., and among our international peers. The report, Social Determinants of Health: Pathways to a Healthier Michigan, outlines what Social Determinants of Health are and how they directly affect individual residents, Michigan’s economy, and the state’s future.

Financial Resources as Pathways to Health Outcomes

Policies in Michigan, like many other states, focus on the health care industry or individual health issues, but to impact health outcomes, policymakers need to consider a wider range of solutions, which is where Social Determinants of Health come in. The all-encompassing nature of Social Determinants of Health can make it difficult for policymakers to translate them into tangible actions. This report unpacks Social Determinants of Health by focusing on the evidence-based fundamental resources that are necessary for individual health: Financial Resources; Health Care; Food and Nutrition; Safety; and Social Support.

“Each of these categories covers a vast number of overlapping issues and their interconnectedness is central to any discussion about health policy,” said Eric Lupher, Citizens Research Council president. “The centrality of financial resources – education, employment, and income – is the story of Michigan’s lagging health outcomes.”

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Founded in 1916, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan works to improve government in Michigan. The organization provides factual, unbiased, independent information concerning significant issues of state and local government organization, policy, and finance. By delivery of this information to policymakers and citizens, the Research Council aims to ensure sound and rational public policy formation in Michigan. For more information, visit www.crcmich.org.

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