Parks offer space for physical activity, enjoyment of nature, connection with other people, and wildlife habitat. Andrew Mowen of recreation, park, and tourism management examines how parks can also help address social and racial inequities.
Twenty-eight percent of two- to four-year-olds in Pennsylvania have overweight or obesity. Learn how researchers in Penn State’s Center for Childhood Obesity Research teach parents the skills to help their children maintain a healthy weight.
Each year there are 400,000 children in United States’ child welfare system, but in many places, potential LGBTQ+ foster and adoptive parents are rejected because of their sexual and gender identity. Samantha Tornello works to support prospective LGBTQ+ parents.
Through 2020 and 2021, Penn State undergraduates have been working with Amit Sharma, professor of hospitality management, and other faculty to study and address issues of food insecurity in Philadelphia and Centre County.
Food insecurity, the inability to reliably get needed food due to limited resources, affects millions. Muzi Na, assistant professor of nutritional sciences, studies ways we can combat the physical and mental health problems caused by food insecurity.
After visiting her Nana in a long-term care facility, Kenna Embree was inspired to start a pen pal group with her friends from high school and senior care residents. She now studies and works to develop programs that engage and benefit people across generations.
Madeline Polkinghorn helps organize food distribution sites in Centre County and has recruited over 40 students to volunteer their time in support of the local community.
Nearly two billion people worldwide lack access to a safe, managed water supply. Despite decades of research on how people cope with this problem, researchers are only beginning to understand the benefits—and costs—of borrowing water from one’s neighbor.
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