Health

Strategic Priority

Maximize health equity and access and support health promotion.

Signature Initiative

Advancing health equity, healthcare access, disease prevention, chronic illness management support, childhood wellness, and health promotion through integrated education, community partnerships, and systemic organizational changes.

Initiative Summary

Illinois Extension is compelled to contribute to individual health and well-being by reducing the negative impacts of health inequities. Extension is also compelled to address One Health—the intersection of the health of people, animals, and the environment. Extension will develop and deliver accessible, evidence-based educational interventions and programs via in-person and online formats. Emphasis will be placed on new programs with a holistic approach to health (physical, emotional, environmental, social, intellectual, financial, occupational, and community), delivered in a manner that engages stakeholders and Extension staff to co-create innovative solutions. Extension will continue to be a health promotion, disease prevention and management hub with innovative programs for individuals, families, communities, and organizations connecting those who seek or provide health-related resources, including strategic partnerships with researchers and community healthcare providers. These innovative programs will work in the continuum of integrated care, improve health outcomes, and enhance overall wellness, emphasizing underserved groups across the lifespan at the local, multi-unit, or statewide level. These efforts will contribute to improved quality of life, social advancement, economic resilience, and equitable resource allocation.

Rationale

Illinois ranks below average in healthcare access, quality, and affordability, disease prevention and treatment, and health parity. Health inequities are related to poorer health outcomes, higher individual costs for healthcare, lower productivity, lost wages, and persistent economic challenges for communities. Underserved and historically marginalized groups are more likely to be impacted by health inequities. By leveraging university research, expertise, and resources, Illinois Extension has the ability and proficiency to develop and deliver education and outreach to maximize health equity and healthcare access to support health promotion and chronic disease prevention.

Key Actions

Mental Health
1. Include mental health measures in program evaluations.
2. Provide internal mental health training for Extension staff.
3. Identify and assess existing internal mental health programs.
4. Develop a holistic mental health program.
Aging Well
1. Identify and assess existing aging-related programs.
2. Incorporate healthy aging concepts into early/mid-life programming.
3. Define and categorize “Aging Well” focus areas (e.g., cognitive, physical, social well-being).
Maternal and Infant Health
1. Identify existing internal maternal and child health (MCH) programs.
2. Identify potential statewide partnerships and assess program gaps.
3. Identify training opportunities for MCH providers, including workforce development needs.
Chronic Disease
1. Identify existing internal chronic disease prevention/management programs.
2. Identify gaps in current offerings.
3. Incorporate health literacy into existing programs.
4. Deliver personalized health information through mobile unit infrastructure.
Physical Activity
1. Identify existing internal programs.
2. Identify and develop mid-life programming opportunities.
3. Provide internal training on integrating physical activity into programs.
4. Develop partnership opportunities to enhance physical wellness.
5. Pilot and expand multi-generational physical activity programs.
6. Develop additional digital and online physical activity programming.
Disaster Preparedness
1. Train unit staff in COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) development.
2. Identify existing programs and Extension resources that address disaster readiness.
3. Identify health issues linked to priority disasters and environmental hazards.
Health Volunteer Program and App
1. Develop a Master Wellness Volunteer program for Health.
2. Develop a “Find Health” app.

Key Outcome Measures

Percentage of Extension programs that incorporate validated mental health measures into their evaluation protocols.
Number and percentage of Extension staff who complete internal mental health training and report increased confidence in recognizing and responding to mental health concerns.
Number of existing mental health programs identified and catalogued for potential collaboration, adaptation, or referral.
Completion and pilot implementation of a holistic mental health program, with at least 75% of participants reporting improved mental well-being post-program.
Number of existing aging-related programs identified, evaluated, and cataloged for use or adaptation in Aging Well initiatives.
Percentage of early- and mid-life Extension programs that integrate at least one core healthy aging concept into their curriculum or activities.
Completion and dissemination of a standardized framework of Aging Well categories, with at least 80% of relevant staff reporting improved clarity and alignment in program design.
Number of existing maternal and infant health programs identified, reviewed, and compiled into a statewide program inventory for strategic alignment.
Number of statewide partnership opportunities identified and documented, and completion of a gap analysis report outlining at least three key areas for program expansion.
Number of workforce development training programs identified and evaluated for relevance to maternal and child health providers, with recommendations shared across Extension units.
Number of chronic disease-related programs identified and cataloged, with accompanying summaries of reach, effectiveness, and target populations.
Completion of a statewide gap analysis identifying at least three underserved populations or topic areas related to chronic disease prevention and management.
Percentage of chronic disease programs that integrate health literacy components, with at least 70% of participants demonstrating improved understanding of key health concepts in post-program assessments.
Number of individuals receiving personalized chronic disease-related health information through mobile unit outreach, with at least 60% reporting increased intent to adopt recommended health behaviors.
Number of existing physical activity programs identified and documented, along with data on reach, demographics, and outcomes.
Completion of a needs assessment identifying at least three priority physical activity topics or formats tailored for mid-life adults.
Number and percentage of staff completing internal training, with at least 75% reporting increased confidence in integrating physical wellness into their programming.
Number of new physical wellness partnerships established, with documented collaboration activities or co-hosted events.
Pilot and launch of a multi-generational physical activity program, with participation from at least three distinct age groups and evidence of increased physical activity levels post-intervention.
Number of new digital physical activity programs developed and launched, with user engagement metrics tracked (e.g., logins, completion rates, and user feedback).
Number and percentage of unit staff trained in Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) development.
Number of existing disaster preparedness and response programs identified and documented, including target populations and geographic coverage.
Completion of a unit/regional report identifying the top five health concerns linked to high-priority disasters and environmental hazards, shared with Extension units for program planning.
Development of a Master Wellness Volunteer program
Number of Master Wellness Volunteers trained to deliver health content, and number of community sessions delivered.
Development, or selection and implementation of a vetted health app with at least 50% of pilot users reporting increased engagement in health-promoting practices after 3 months of use.

Key Impacts

Primary

Improved Health Knowledge and Equity – Evidence-based education, interdisciplinary programming, and community engagement will enhance health literacy, promote behavior change, and reduce health disparities, leading to improved well-being and healthcare access.

Secondary

Stronger Partnerships and Systemic Change – Collaboration across organizations, coalitions, and Extension units will drive policy improvements, workforce development, and systemic changes that promote long-term health equity and accessibility.