Image of 3 medical doctors looking at a clipboard

Community Health

Examine public health issues. Create innovative solutions. Build stronger communities. Learn about health and rehabilitation services, and become an agent of change.

Overview

The health care industry is growing and changing. Health professionals must develop innovative theories, policies, and technologies to address emerging behavioral and environmental health concerns.

The Community Health program prepares students for professional and research careers in the rapidly changing world of health and rehabilitative services, with special emphasis on the community context in which health care is delivered. 

What Will I do?

A degree in community health will prepare you for leadership positions in a variety of healthcare and health-related professions.

Our graduates are currently working in the following fields:

  • Healthcare consulting

  • Public policy analysis

  • Medicine

  • Hospital administration

  • Public health

  • Epidemiology

  • Rehabilitation counseling

  • Occupational and physical therapy

Community Health Course Highlights – Winter Section and Spring 2022

You can see descriptions of some of the classes we offer, below. For a complete listing, go to the academic catalog here.

Contemporary Health

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CHLH 100, GenEd (SS), Credit: 3 hours

Examines concepts of health and health promotion in contemporary society with emphasis on a healthy lifestyle for individuals and groups. Topics include self care, health insurance, exercise, nutrition and weight control, sexuality, contraception, tobacco, alcohol, cardiovascular health, infectious diseases, and cancer.

  • Spring 2022 (01/18/22-05/04/22)
  • In-person, CRN 31075
  • Instructor: Su, T

Introduction to Public Health

icons showing aspects of healthy activities and diet

CHLH 101, GenEd (SS), Credit: 3 hours

This course examines basic concepts and core functions of public health practice, the scope of applications, and the variety of service organizations (both public and private) that shape public health.

Designing AHS Career Readiness

bar graph with arrows pointing upward, resting on a graduation cap

CHLH 199 (section AHS), Credit: 1 hour

In this course students will explore values and interests as they relate to choosing a career path. They will be guided to develop a plan for your remaining years as an Illini and be given the tools students need to be ready for applications, interviews, and beyond.

  • Spring 2022 – Term A (01/18/22-03/11/22)
  • In-person, Thursdays 3:30pm-4:50pm, 60 Siebel Center for Design, CRN 42065
  • Instructor: Tonya Pulley

 

MENTAL HEALTH

silhuoettes of two heads facing opposite directions

CHLH 200, Credit: 2 hours

Introduction to the science of mental health and illness including personality development, the genesis and manifestations of mental illness, and the maintenance of mental health; taught with an emphasis on the preventive and medical aspects of mental health.

Public Health Research Methods

CHLH 201, Credit: 3 hours

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the basic principles and concepts underlying research methods on public health. Topics include conceptualization, measurement, research design, sampling, evaluation, data sources and ethics. The students will be exposed to a wide range of quantitative, and mixed methods.

 

INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH TECHNOLOGY

smart phone displaying health symbols and graphs

CHLH 203, Credit: 3 hours

In this course students will learn about how technology can be used to improve people’s health and support healthier communities, how technology is transforming health care, and how technology can be used to bridge social determinants of health and health inequalities.

Human Sexuality

pink and rainbow-colored hearts

CHLH 206, Credit: 2 hours

Examines diverse physiological and behavioral aspects of human sexuality. Topics include: sexual anatomy and development; gender and sexual expression; birth control; conception, pregnancy and childbirth; sexually transmitted infections; sexual assault and exploitation.

  • Spring 2022 – Term A (01/18/22-03/11/22)
  • Online asynchronous, CRN 31167
  • Spring 2022 – Term B (03/14/22-05/04/22)
  • Online asynchronous, CRN 57810

COMMUNITY HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

giant hand placing a building in a neighborhood

CHLH 210, Credit: 2 hours

Overview of institutions and agencies which provide health information, education, services, and care. Includes historical foundations, constituencies, organizational goals and structure, funding and expenditures, modes of service dellivery, poitical and ethical issues.

Drug Use & Abuse

variety of pills on a table
CHLH 243, Credit: 2 hours

Introduction to the biological, psychological, pharmacological, and legal aspects of drug use and abuse; surveys community and university resources concerned with drug use and abuse; emphasizes personal and social actions for responsible drug use.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS

medical caduceus

CHLH 250, Credit: 3 hours

Overview of the major issues confronting health care systems from a macro perspective. Identification and analysis of the functions, major participants and trends in health care systems in the United States and abroad. Attention on current and emerging issues having implications for health care systems in industrialized nations.

Introduction to Epidemiology

figures playing with graphs and charts
CHLH 274 Credit: 3 hours

This course examines basic concepts and methods of epidemiology, patterns of disease occurrence, applications of epidemiology to health education, health services administration and planning, health policy, and environmental health.

Disability in American Society

blue and aqua triangles formiong shape of person on a wheelchair
CHLH 330/REHB 330, GenEd (SS), Credit: 3 hours

This course presents a range of issues pertaining to disability including demographics, disability rights, services, policies and current issues. Applies a disability studies perspective in which problems associated with individuals' impairments are seen to result from socially imposed barriers.

Health Behavior and Technology

smart phone floating avove head with top of head removed

CHLH 441, Credit: 3 hours

This course will examine the psychological, interpersonal, and social processes that drive health behaviors and health technology use,  current models of technology-mediated behavior change, and methods to examine the effects of health technology on health behaviors.

Environmental Health

green drawing of trees and butterflies and cfl lightbulbs

CHLH 469, Credit: 3 hours

Students will learn concepts and mechanisms used to prevent or control environmental conditions that may lead to infectious or other environmentally induced diseases. The course include topics from a public health perspective such as air pollution, water supply management, waste management, radiation protection, food hygiene, occupational health and disaster management.

Contact an Advisor

Undergraduate Advisors

  • Hollie Heintz (students whose last names begin with A-K)
  • Academic Advisor
  • hheintz@illinois.edu
  • 217-333-2307
  • Nancy D. Cardenas Gonzalez (students whose last names begin with L-Z)
  • Academic Advisor
  • crdnsgn2@illinois.edu
  • 217-333-2307

Graduate Advisors

  • Julie Jenkins
  • Administrative Aide
  • jjenkns@illinois.edu
  • 906 S. Goodwin Ave
  • 112 Freer Hall
  • Urbana, IL. 61801
  • Phone: (217) 333-1083

Awards and Scholarships

As of February 1st, 2021, applications are no longer being accepted for undergraduate and graduate awards and scholarships. Information about the awards can be found here.

Department of Kinesiology and Community Health: Statement of our Commitment to Equity and Fairness

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Get Started with AHS

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Admissions information