Health Education

Designing Educational Programs for Older Adults

Martie Gillen, Carolyn Wilken, and Jenny Jump

Florida Cooperative Extension Service Framework for Health and Well-Being

Shannon J. Horrillo, LaToya J. O’Neal, and Dreamal Worthen

The purpose of this publication is to share with Florida Cooperative Extension Service faculty and staff Florida’s adapted version of the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health and Wellness — the Florida Cooperative Extension Service Framework for Health and Well-Being. The adapted framework focuses on improving population health and ensuring that all individuals and communities can achieve optimal health. Furthermore, the adapted framework highlights Florida Cooperative Extension’s role in addressing non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. Written by Shannon J. Horrillo, LaToya J. O’Neal, and Dreamal Worthen, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, August 2025.

Adult Vaccine Confidence and Disparities in Florida

Kathryn A. Stofer, Alissa V. Katsaras, Skye Dougan, and LaToya O’Neal

This first document in the Adult Vaccination in Florida series provides an overview of expert medical perspectives towards recommended vaccinations for adults in Florida as well as areas of recognized disparities. Written by Kathryn A. Stofer, Alissa V. Katsaras, Skye Dougan, and LaToya O’Neal, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, June 2024.

Resources and Strategies to Build Vaccine Confidence among Adults

Kathryn A. Stofer, Alissa V. Katsaras, Skye Dougan, Miranda Jones, and LaToya J. O’Neal

As Extension continues to expand its purview in adult immunization education, it should provide strategies for communicating one-on-one and in smaller and larger groups, as well as links to resources to build confidence and promote access for adults who have lower confidence in or who may face barriers to vaccination in Florida. This publication is part of the Adult Vaccination in Florida series which examines the general trends in and reasons behind adult perceptions of vaccination. Written by Kathryn A. Stofer, Alissa V. Katsaras, Skye Dougan, Miranda Jones, and LaToya J. O’Neal, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, April 2025.

A Taste of Culture: Evidence-based Health Benefits of Cooking with Herbs and Spices

Isabella Alobele, Lori Johnson, Hillary MacMichael, Amy Mullins, Ava Theng, Madison Gindea, Ryan Perez, Tatiana Tchuisse, Yvette Vork, and Melissa Vilaro

This publication covers the health benefits of cooking with herbs and spices with a focus on up-to-date scientific evidence on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic health benefits associated with their culinary use. This is the first publication in a two-part series related to the Taste of Culture curriculum. Written by Isabella Alobele, Lori Johnson, Hillary MacMichael, Amy Mullins, Ava Theng, Madison Gindea, Ryan Perez, Tatiana Tchuisse, Yvette Vork, and Melissa Vilaro, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, November 2025.

Substance Use and Rural Populations

Erin Kersey, LaToya J. O'Neal, Ashlyn Michael, Beatrice Pierre, Tyler Nesbit, and Larry Forthun

This article aims to describe the impact of substance use on rural communities, to share knowledge of the unique challenges rural populations face, to highlight the need for prevention efforts geared towards adolescents, and to inform Extension professionals about current UF/IFAS initiatives. Written by Erin Kersey, LaToya J. O’Neal, Ashlyn Michael, Beatrice Pierre, Tyler Nesbit, and Larry Forthun, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, February 2023.

Best Practices for Culinary Medicine Programming

Andrea Krenek, Anne Mathews, and Wendy Dahl

Nutrition and lifestyle habits are recognized as essential for health across the lifespan. A new approach to promote healthy practices is through culinary medicine (CM) or culinary nutrition (CN) programs. The optimal content, format, and timing varies across types of CM/CN programs. The purpose of this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department is to provide an overview of CM/CN and best practices for implementation by nutrition educators with a range of populations. Written by Andrea Krenek, Anne Mathews, and Wendy Dahl.