Live a healthier lifestyle with research-based tools.
Make informed decisions about health choices with cutting-edge research from University of Illinois. Find a session that's perfect for you.
The Community Seminar Series is a collaboration between Illinois Extension and Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Signing up is easy:
- Sessions are free, and registration is required.
- Choose as many sessions within the series as you wish to attend.
- Complete the registration process.
- CPDU and CEUs are available: CEUs are provided through the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois. Once you have registered for your desired sessions, please check your registration confirmation email for a link to purchase CEUs.
If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Access previous sessions on health topics by visiting our recorded session archives.
Autumn Health Picks 2026
Active Moments, Healthier Days: Reducing the Risks of Too Much Sitting | Oct. 7
Even if you meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, spending long periods sitting can still affect your health. This session explores how excessive sitting affects metabolism, energy levels, and long-term well-being. Learn practical, research-based strategies to incorporate more movement into your daily routine, reduce the effects of sedentary time, and support overall health through simple changes. Presenter: Vilma Gómez.
Inside the Stress Response: Understanding the Amygdala’s Role | Oct. 14
Why do we react to stress the way we do? This session explores the role of the amygdala, a key brain region involved in processing emotions and triggering the body’s fight-or-flight response. Learn how the amygdala helps us respond to challenges and what researchers are discovering about the connections among the brain, stress, and our reactions. Presenter: Sreelaya Bhamidi.
Mapping Change: Exploring English Use and Gentrification in Puerto Rico | Oct. 21
Communities across Puerto Rico are experiencing shifts in language use, population patterns, and neighborhood development. This session explores a community-led mapping project that examines the relationship between rising English use and concerns about gentrification and displacement. Learn how activists and researchers are collaborating to document these changes, increase spatial awareness, and better understand their impact on community identity and well-being. Presenter: Karla Sanabria Véaz.
Mapear el Cambio: Explorar el uso del inglés y la gentrificación en Puerto Rico | Oct. 21
Las comunidades de Puerto Rico están experimentando cambios en el uso del idioma, los patrones de población, y el desarrollo de los vecindarios. Este seminario explorará un proyecto de mapeo comunitario que analiza la relación entre el aumento del uso del inglés y las preocupaciones sobre la gentrificación y el desplazamiento. Aprenderás cómo activistas e investigadores colaboran para documentar estos cambios, aumentar la conciencia sobre el territorio, y comprender mejor su impacto en la identidad y el bienestar de las comunidades. Presentadora: Karla Sanabria Véaz.
Nota: La sesión en español comienza a la 1 p. m.
Mindfulness and Music in Early Childhood: Supporting Attention and Emotional Regulation | Oct. 28
Early childhood is a critical period for developing attention, emotional regulation, and coping skills. This session explores how mindfulness and music-related activities may support these emerging abilities. Learn about common approaches, including rhythmic movement, breathing exercises, mindful listening, and music-based attention activities. The session also reviews current research and highlights important considerations for parents, educators, and health professionals. Presenter: Hong Li.
Beyond the Stigma: Conversations and Care in the Opioid Crisis | Nov. 4
Opioid use disorder affects communities across Illinois and beyond. This session explores how stigma shapes conversations about substance use and whether people seek support and access treatment. Learn how attitudes and language can influence health outcomes and discover practical ways individuals and communities can reduce stigma and support recovery. Presenter: Sami Pierce.
Understanding the Fear of Falling: Insights for Wheelchair and Scooter Users | Nov. 11
Fear of falling is a common concern among wheelchair and scooter users, yet it is often overlooked in research and clinical care. This session reviews how clinicians and researchers assess fear of falling and highlights where important gaps remain. Learn how rehabilitation professionals approach these conversations and what can be done to better support mobility, confidence, and quality of life for wheelchair and scooter users. Presenter: Sahel Moein.
Embracing Differences: Mindfulness that Supports Families of Neurodivergent Children | Nov. 18
Raising a neurodivergent child can bring joys, challenges, and stress to families. This session explores differences in social-emotional development between neurodivergent and neurotypical children, family experiences of raising neurodivergent children, and the potential role of mindfulness in supporting family well-being. Learn how family-centered mindfulness practices can foster awareness, connection, and compassion for both children and caregivers. Presenter: Kai-Ning Wang.