Integrated Health Disparities

May is Mental Health Awareness MonthYou probably know that physical activity is important for improving your physical health and preventing or managing chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. But did you know that physical activity can also enhance your...

Strength training boasts an impressive list of health benefits, yet the group that stands to benefit the most – older women – is participating in strengthening activities the least. National guidelines recommend that adults and older adults engage in muscle strengthening activities at least 2 days...

National Kidney Month is in March! Let’s learn about kidney health, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and steps we can take to take care of our kidneys. What are our Kidneys? The kidneys are in our lower back, right below our rib cage. Their main function is to filter out waste, toxins,...

Strength training boasts an impressive list of health benefits, especially as you age, but most U.S. adults, and even fewer older adults, don’t meet the federal recommendations for strength training.What happens to our body as we age?Starting in your thirties, muscle mass begins to...

December is here and it has brought shorter days and colder temperatures. Have you noticed any changes to your exercise routine or the amount of time you spend outside? Research shows that once it falls below 60 degrees, any further decrease in temperature is associated with people engaging in...

As the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, many people experience a dip in their mood. For some, this isn't just a passing phase but a serious condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This type of depression occurs during specific seasons—often in winter—when daylight hours...

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. In the United States, about 1 in every 5 children have obesity. This rate increases with age, and many children with obesity continue to have obesity as adults. Obesity is measured differently in children compared to adults. For children...

We all know breastfeeding is best for babies. It's like a superpower shield, boosting their immune systems and protecting them from illnesses. For families in underserved communities, these benefits are even more crucial. But here's the catch: breastfeeding isn't always easy, especially for these...

You know exercise is good for your heart, lungs, muscles, and bones, but recently experts are finding increasing evidence showing that exercise is good for your brain too – including reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. What is Alzheimer's disease?Whether choosing what to eat, discussing...

As a society, we are starting to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health. Events in recent years have led stakeholders to prioritize mental health awareness and support for their communities. At the University of Illinois Extension, our Integrated Health Disparities (...