Community Seminar Series: Summer Self-Care 2026 Registration

Join the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute and University of Illinois Extension for a series on a variety of health topics. Pick and choose programs based on interest.

All sessions are offered via Zoom on Wednesdays at noon (CST) from June 24 - July 29, 2026

 

Understanding Medicare can be challenging, even for those already enrolled. This session shares insights from a federally funded project focused on helping older adults make informed choices. Participants will explore practical tools, including clear information materials and step-by-step flowcharts, designed to simplify options and support confident decision-making. Presenter: Hye Soo Lee, Ph.D.

July 1 | Nine Months, One Virus: How Infection in Pregnancy Shapes Child Development

A brief illness during pregnancy may have longer-term effects on development. In this session, we explore how infections like influenza can influence the immune environment of pregnancy and affect the placenta and developing brain. Learn how researchers use animal models to study these processes and what current science suggests about potential impacts on behavior and health later in life. Presenter: Arnav Kaushik

July 8 | MINDing the Gap: How AI Reveals Who Is Missing from Mental Health Care

Millions of Americans living with mental health conditions do not receive care. Who is being missed, and why? This session explores how researchers are using artificial intelligence to identify gaps in access and uncover patterns that are often overlooked. Learn how these findings challenge common assumptions and offer new ways to think about barriers to care. Presenters: Sylvia Okon & Tourna Khan

July 15 | Superbugs Don’t Follow Orders: How Antimicrobial Resistance Spreads from Animals to Humans

What happens when antibiotics stop working? Drug-resistant infections are on the rise, including illnesses like Shigella that affect hundreds of thousands each year. This session explores how antimicrobial resistance spreads between animals and humans and what that means for everyday health. Learn practical steps individuals and families can take to help prevent the spread and protect against harder-to-treat infections. Presenters: Grace Lunaburg & Rashid Bajwa

July 22 | Understanding GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications: Clinical and Societal Impacts

GLP-1 medications are transforming how we think about weight loss. In this session, Jona Kerluku examines potential side effects, emerging questions about long-term use, and how these drugs affect the body during and after treatment. The discussion also explores broader issues, including access, affordability, and shifting cultural perspectives on weight and health. Presenter: Jona Kerluku

July 29 | Inside Trauma-Focused Therapy for Youth: Understanding Treatment and Support 

Trauma-focused therapies can play a powerful role in helping youth recover, yet they can feel complex or intimidating for families and caregivers. This session reviews the core components of leading trauma-focused interventions and the research behind them. Participants will also learn practical ways supportive adults can help guide and encourage youth throughout treatment, with a focus on both process and long-term growth. Presenter: Aggie Rieger

Registrants must create and sign in to a personal or work Zoom account to access the webinar sessions.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Dee Walls at walls1@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.