URBANA, Ill. — Current technology puts health information at our fingertips, but not all of it is reliable. As misleading content spreads quickly online, communities need clear, science‑based guidance more than ever. That’s why educators, researchers, and community partners are collaborating to provide accurate, reliable health information that helps people stay informed and make confident decisions.
The University of Illinois, in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and Illinois Extension, has developed the Summer Self-Care 2026 webinar series as part of the Community Seminar Series. Community members will be able to explore current health research, access reliable information, and engage directly with U. of I. researchers.
“Our goal with this series is to meet people where they are by offering clear, research-based information that helps them navigate health decisions with greater confidence,” says Dee Walls, Extension outreach associate. “By exploring emerging health topics and ongoing research, we hope participants gain not only new knowledge but also a deeper understanding of how these issues affect their lives and communities.”
Series Details
Continuing education units, or CEUs, are available.
All sessions are presented online from noon to 1 p.m., and topics include:
- Making Sense of Medicare: Navigating Choices with Confidence | June 24
- Nine Months, One Virus: How Infection in Pregnancy Shapes Child Development | July 1
- Minding the Gap: How AI Reveals Who Is Missing from Mental Health Care | July 8
- Superbugs Don’t Follow Orders: How Antimicrobial Resistance Spreads from Animals to Humans | July 15
- Understanding GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications: Clinical and Societal Impacts | July 22
- Inside Trauma-Focused Therapy for Youth: Understanding Treatment and Support | July 29
Register for free at go.illinois.edu/CCS-Summer2026. For more information about the Community Seminar Series, visit go.illinois.edu/CSSeries.
If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu or 217-300-6862. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.