This month, Michigan health officials confirmed that three children in the state have died from the flu this season. Social media posts responding to the news falsely claimed that the flu doesn’t pose a risk to kids and that flu vaccines are unnecessary. However, getting this season’s flu vaccine is critical for everyone, especially now, as flu levels in the state are high.
We’re also tracking conversations about prescription opioids as posts discuss pain management after surgery.
But first, a Michigan representative’s comments early this month about her medical procedure to permanently prevent pregnancy incited both ridicule and curiosity.
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Michigan representative sparks conversation about contraception
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- On February 5, Michigan Representative Laurie Pohutsky spoke at a rally where she stated that she had recently undergone a medical procedure to permanently prevent pregnancy due to concerns about future access to contraception and abortion.
- Social media posts ridiculing Pohutsky’s decision received millions of views. However, other posts expressed support and asked questions about tubal ligation and other forms of contraception.
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Why this matters: Conversations about tubal ligation (sometimes called “getting your tubes tied”) provide an opportunity to educate the public about the birth control options available in Michigan.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- Temporary birth control options available in Michigan include birth control pills, patches, and shots; IUDs; and condoms, which also protect against STIs.
- Other birth control options include vasectomies, which prevent people from releasing sperm into semen and are meant to be permanent, and tubal ligation, a procedure that closes, cuts, or removes pieces of the fallopian tubes to permanently prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing eggs.
- Find a location where you can access birth control near you from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
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Suggested caption:
There are many ways to temporarily or permanently prevent pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider to learn more about the best birth control options for you. Find a location where you can access birth control near you at Michigan.gov/TakeControl.
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In response to Michigan pediatric flu deaths, posts falsely suggest that the flu is not dangerous
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- As of February 21, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has reported that three children in the state have died from the flu during the 2024-2025 flu season.
- Some social media posts responding to the news falsely insinuated that the flu does not pose a risk to children and that the flu vaccine is unnecessary.
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Why this matters: Parents may be unaware that the flu can be dangerous for children.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- The flu can cause serious health complications, especially in kids, like pneumonia, dehydration, and problems with brain function.
- Every year, thousands of children in the U.S. are hospitalized with the flu, and some die.
- This season’s flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months and older to reduce the risk of severe illness and death from the flu.
- Flu vaccines are available through your local health department or community health board, or you can visit Vaccines.gov to find a pharmacy that offers the flu vaccine near you.
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Suggested caption:
Every year, thousands of children in the U.S. are hospitalized with the flu. Getting this season’s flu shot reduces the risk of severe illness and death. Everyone 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine. Flu vaccines are available through your local health department or community health board, or you can visit Vaccines.gov to find a pharmacy that offers the flu vaccine near you.
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Posts express concern about inadequate pain management after surgery
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- A social media post from a Michigan resident criticized the Overdose Prevention Engagement Network’s (OPEN) opioid prescribing recommendations, which aim to reduce the risk of patients developing opioid addiction. The post alleged that a doctor had refused to prescribe opioids after surgery due to OPEN’s prescribing recommendations.
- Many comments expressed concern about not having adequate pain management after surgery, with some claiming that they had cancelled surgeries due to this worry.
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Why this matters: Conversations about pain management after surgery provide an opportunity to highlight the risks of prescription opioids and encourage community members to talk with their health care provider about all pain management options.
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Helpful messaging to share right now:
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- Anyone who takes prescription opioids can develop opioid addiction.
- Some people face a higher risk of developing opioid addiction, including people with a history of substance use disorder or mental health conditions.
- Patients should talk to their health care provider about the risks and benefits of post-surgical pain management options before undergoing surgery.
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Suggested caption:
Rates of dependency to prescription opioids go way up after just five days, and the risk associated with taking them may be greater than the benefits. Managing chronic pain or recovering from a surgery can be a lot to handle, and your health care provider can outline all of your pain management options, as well as their risks and benefits.
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What to expect when you get an IUD
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The recent surge in online conversation about medical procedures to prevent pregnancy shows that Michigan residents are curious about birth control options. IUDs are a common, convenient form of birth control, and they prevent pregnancy for years after insertion.
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PGN is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to community health. We partner with trusted local voices throughout the U.S. to distribute accurate, accessible, and inclusive health news in English and Spanish.
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Have feedback on this email? Please send it to Info@MIHealthComms.org.
Thanks for reading,
The MI Health Communications Initiative team
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The Public Good Projects, 401 Park Ave S New York, NY 10016, United States
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