May 15, 2026 | Ethan Simmons New research is testing effective ways to communicate with families about chemical exposures Among the last things a mother wants to hear is that chemical compounds found nearly everywhere in the modern environment—our clothing, packaging, plastics and drinking water—could have implications for their child’s development in the womb. Sarah […]
Category: Health and Kinesiology
Where does AI fit into the big picture of public health?
May 13, 2026 | Ethan Simmons AI could revolutionize disease prevention—but flawed data risks deepening health inequalities In the view of University of Illinois public health researcher Bruno Nunes, artificial intelligence shapes up as a potent tool to predict and prevent public health problems, such as chronic diseases. But before AI-powered models are deployed in […]
Spring 2026: Message from HK Department Head Kim Graber
May 13, 2026 | Kim Graber Hello faculty, staff, alumni and friends, As we move through another dynamic semester in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, I am continually struck by the breadth and impact of the work happening across our department. This spring, our faculty, students and alumni have advanced important conversations at the […]
AHS Faculty Q&A: Robyn Gobin understands trauma as both professor and clinician
May 13, 2026 | Ethan Simmons Health and Kinesiology Associate Professor Robyn Gobin inhabits many roles—teacher, researcher, psychologist, author—which continue to influence each other. Gobin is a trauma specialist: she works with domestic violence survivors and military Veterans and has published studies about their experiences. Gobin joined the Department of Health and Kinesiology in 2015, […]
Researcher Soyoung Choi pushes Pilates toward evidence-based wellness
May 13, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Pilates promises transformations, but science reveals quieter, longer-lasting health benefits. In the age of algorithm-driven fitness trends and curated wellness aesthetics, reformer Pilates has become a cultural phenomenon, celebrated as much for its sleek studios and celebrity endorsements as for its exercise benefits. But beneath the social media sheen, […]
Jeff Woods’ retirement closes a chapter in the College of Applied Health Sciences
May 08, 2026 | Vince Lara-Cinisomo Woods leaves a legacy of groundbreaking research and inspired mentorship After a noteworthy tenure spanning more than three decades at the University of Illinois, Jeffrey Woods, Ph.D., the associate dean for research in the College of Applied Health Sciences and a national leader in exercise physiology research, has announced his retirement, marking the end of an […]
News Bureau: How social media promotion and ease of access increase risks of adolescent inhalant misuse
May 2, 2026 | Diana Yates, News Bureau Two new studies co-authored by Health and Kinesiology Assistant Professor Rachel Hoopsick offer insights into the spread of nitrous oxide misuse among adolescents. What Hoopsick found in two studies: Millions of Americans were exposed to content about recreational nitrous oxide use from just 30 social media videos […]
University Updates: Laura Rice on preventing falls for wheelchair users
April 29, 2026 | Amanda Brennan, WCIA News The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older. People in wheelchairs are at an even higher risk. That’s a primary focus for Health and Kinesiology Associate Professor Laura Rice and her research at the University of […]
Support swells for iPALS summer enrichment program
April 27, 2026 | Ethan Simmons This summertime enrichment program for local youth run by Health and Kinesiology at Illinois is back in Champaign A group of Illinois physical education alumni are supporting one of the College of Applied Health Sciences’ longest-running youth programs as it returns to Champaign. Three graduates of the former Department […]
In second year, Illini Physical Activity Symposium widened its reach
April 07, 2026 | Ethan Simmons The Illini Physical Activity Symposium celebrates the widening research field of physical activity and its connections to public health across the globe. The second edition hosted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign added a couple new traditions, including live student presentations and a guest speaker, but things kicked off […]