Family and Community Health

Backpack Program provides nutrition support for Grant County students

Grant County faces significant challenges with food insecurity and poverty, with 13.5% of its 7,200 residents struggling to access adequate nutrition and a child poverty rate of 21.5%. These rates are notably higher than the ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Walk With Ease expands awareness through partnerships, marketing

Walk With Ease is an evidence-based physical activity program developed by the Arthritis Foundation that is proven to reduce the pain associated with arthritis, increase physical activity, decrease pain and fatigue and increase ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Project Happy Apples helps gardeners fight devastating codling moth

The popularity of fruit trees for home gardens continues to grow, with apples and pears topping the list. However, codling moths, a major pest for these fruits, can quickly ruin the fun. Oregon State University Extension ...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

OSU initiative supports farmers facing climate change stress and grief

A growing body of literature documents the mental health impacts of climate change on the general population, but there is little focus on agricultural populations in the United States — even though farmers may be ...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

Workshop boosts Lincoln County Latino community's emergency preparedness skills

Lincoln County faces numerous hazards, including tsunamis, extreme weather events and wildfires, which can disrupt gas and electric services to households. This disruption limits food preparation options and increases the risk of food...

Feb 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension enhances student learning at educational farm in Eugene

Since it started in 2016, the Bethel Farm in Eugene has become an educational farm for students in the Bethel School District mainly through third-grade field trips. Students at the nearby Kalapuya High School have played a ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

StrongPeople builds culture of health among older adults

Older adults in Oregon face several health challenges, including chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and hypertension. Many older adults have mobility challenges due to muscle weakness, joint pain and low ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

BEPA 2.0 has students stepping up their physical activity

Data show that among school-age children, low physical activity, poor diet, and extended periods of inactivity are associated not only with poor health but also with poor educational outcomes. In 2007, Oregon passed a law ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

‘Library of Things’ food preservation collections benefit Oregonians

Food preservation is a popular hobby in Oregon, but it is also an important way that households can lower their food budget, reduce food waste and enjoy seasonal delicacies year-round. Particularly in rural areas, where grocery ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story

Food Hero at the Farmers Market expands youth access to healthy food

Food Hero at the Farmers Market began in Douglas County in 2017 to increase youth exposure to healthy food and help families shop more confidently for fruits and vegetables. Developed through a FEAST grant from the Oregon ...

Jan 2025 | Impact Story