• Ukraine opened its first food processing and distribution center in Ghana on April 14, addressing the country's growing food crisis — where demand for staples like bread and pasta is rising and food instability now affects over 2 million people. The initiative combines humanitarian aid with agricultural partnership, and what it could mean for food security across West and Central Africa.

• At least 48 people have died in ICE custody since January 2025 — the highest rate per detainee population recorded outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. A six-month investigation found that in at least 17 of those cases, medical staff delayed or failed to provide care that physicians say could have saved lives. This included missed diagnoses, ignoring emergency symptoms, and deaths from treatable conditions like alcohol withdrawal and high blood pressure. 

• The U.S. Supreme Court delivered another blow to the Voting Rights Act. In Louisiana v. Callais, the Court ruled that to challenge a redistricting map, plaintiffs must prove that map drawers intentionally aimed to decrease the voting power of a racial group, a higher bar than previously in place under Section 2 of the Act. Justice Elena Kagan wrote, in dissent, that this interpretation allows for states to "without legal consequence, systematically dilute minority citizens’ voting power.” 

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced updated regulations aimed at strengthening hospital price transparency requirements. The proposal seeks to make healthcare costs more accessible and understandable for patients, addressing ongoing concerns about affordability and equity in healthcare access.

Since graduating, Shantel Mercedes, '23MPH has built a meaningful career grounded in growth, impact, and community. A Boston native, Shantel began her role at Health Resources in Action just before completing her MPH and was recently promoted into a manager position. In her current role, she works as a consultant on initiatives that build capacity for the treatment of problem gambling, an emerging and complex public health concern across Massachusetts. 

Shantel describes her career path as one shaped by opportunity and curiosity, describing herself as a “forever learner,” continuously seeking knowledge to better inform others. Her Simmons MPH taught her to "work smarter, not harder" which, for Shantel, involves "understanding of what is happening inside and outside the box." While having learned myriad concepts and frameworks in the MPH program she emphasizes understanding how to use them to support public health efforts, strategies and guidelines as well create sustainable and appropriate public health interventions for all parties involved. 

Beyond her professional role, Shantel is committed to giving back through mentorship. As a woman of color and a first-generation college graduate, she recognizes the importance of representation. She is always eager to use her voice to amplify "the importance of education and perseverance." 

Shantel has three points of advice for MPH students: (1) Keep in touch with your peers who will become your colleagues and friends; (2) Your success & failures are yours alone–pursue higher education because you want to, not because someone said you should, and (3) Work smarter, not harder; use effective strategies with effective thinking to achieve a desired goal.