The College of Applied Health Sciences is very invested in engaging with the local community. The health and well-being of our community is very important to us, and our research areas focus on improving the everyday lives of all people.
Some of our efforts are listed below. Follow their links to learn more about these initiatives.
Lifetime Fitness
The University of Illinois’s Lifetime Fitness Program is for Urbana-Champaign residents aged 55 and over. We offer exercises and activities that boost health, fitness and daily living. Professors Jack Senefeld and Emerson Sebastião run the program, and graduate students in Health and Kinesiology support them. Undergraduate students also assist in teaching group fitness classes.
iPALS
The University of Illinois offers the Illinois Physical Activity and Life Skills (iPALS) Wellness Program, and the Department of Health and Kinesiology works with Champaign Unit 4 Schools to run it. iPALS is a free summer program for children in Champaign Unit 4 elementary schools, geared toward youth enrolled in the free and reduced school lunch program.
Exercise is Medicine
Exercise is Medicine® on Campus (EIM-OC) helps universities promote physical activity for better health. This program brings together faculty, staff and students to improve campus health by:
- Making physical activity a part of daily campus life.
- Assessing activity levels at each student’s health visit.
- Providing tools for students to build lifelong, healthy habits.
- Connecting campus healthcare providers and fitness specialists for exercise referrals.
Office of Recreation and Park Resources
The Office of Recreation and Park Resources works with the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism to improve everyone’s lives. This innovative approach helps tackle health and wellness challenges in society. Our solutions boost productivity and creativity, and help strengthen the economy.
Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana
The Center on Health, Aging and Disability oversees the Age-Friendly Champaign-Urbana initiative. This effort makes Champaign-Urbana a better place for everyone, regardless of age. Champaign-Urbana joined the World Health Organization and AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities in 2017.
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic
Careers in Speech and Hearing Science improve people’s lives by facilitating better communication. The Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic helps people in Urbana-Champaign and beyond. Graduate students work with licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists, providing services to people of all ages in person and through telehealth. This experience connects classroom learning with clinical practice to meet community needs.
