Johanna Younghans Baker
Editor-in-Chief, Health Lab

(She/Her)

Baker oversees Health Lab, Michigan Medicine's online health and research publication. She has spent most of her career working within the communication departments of several major academic medical centers in New York, Boston and now Michigan. She also handles media relations for allergy, dermatology, nephrology and urology. Contact:  [email protected]

Johanna Younghans
prostate cancer scans
Health Lab
What you need to know about prostate cancer
A urologic oncologist answers questions about prostate cancer.
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Health Lab
The truth about penile implants
Erectile dysfunction is a common issue in the United States, but most people aren't aware of a penile prosthesis being a potential, life changing, option.
article on phone being read by person
Health Lab
The most popular articles of 2023
With over 400 stories published on Health Lab in 2023, the following 10 articles were the most read of the year.
Health Lab
Cannabis, alcohol and how they affect the heart
How cannabis and alcohol affect your heart, according to top health care specialists at Michigan Medicine.
Health Lab
How depression, burnout impact your heart health
Michigan Medicine experts discuss the links between mental health and cardiovascular health
VAD heart device cooler red and teal
Health Lab
Medicare policy change could increase inequity in heart transplant access, study finds
Patients seen at transplant centers had almost 80% higher odds to receive “bridge-to-transplant” designation
blue cells, gut with sushi, face mask and more in a collage
Health Lab
Michigan Health Lab’s most read articles of 2022
The year provided one fascinating research story after another.
collage of photos like kid with bloody nose heart rythm ontop of a body, doctor cartoon helping patient, kid lying down sick and more.
Health Lab
The 10 most popular stories of the year
Here’s what topics resonated with most readers of the Michigan Health blog. Can you guess what they were?
microscope
Health Lab
New gene found suppressed in scleroderma brings potential target for treatment
When the gene was suppressed in mice, signs of scleroderma started to develop.
lab blog images collage with michigan m in middle
Health Lab
Headlines from the frontlines (and in your inbox) 
Get the power of scientific discovery delivered to your email every week. 
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Health Lab
Live your healthiest life (by getting these weekly emails)
Get tips each week from some of the nation’s top experts at Michigan Medicine.
Health Lab
How to help kids swallow pills in 7 easy steps
A child’s health may depend on taking certain medications, and pill swallowing can be difficult even if you’re an adult. A pediatric expert walks through 7 how-to tips to help teach children to take pills.
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Health Lab
21 research takeaways from 2021
Researchers and clinicians at University of Michigan Health continued to make discoveries that advanced medicine, health and science in 2021.
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Health Lab
For better wellness in the new year, 10 articles to read
Health tips from University of Michigan Health experts to help you thrive in the new year.
man hatting tennis ball
Health Lab
His shortness of breath signaled a deeper, underlying issue
A rare autoimmune disease, myositis, caused one man to need a double lung transplant. Now that he’s recovered, he’s back to his favorite activities once again.