Events and Activities
In order to assist undergraduate students in pre-health and social science fields to obtain skills in peer-related activities, teamwork, organizational skills, program planning, implementation and evaluation, the Special Populations' Student Health Concerns Committee hosts various activities.

One major aspect of the Special Populations Committee is to coordinate health education programs for students as well as members of the community. Our job is to make students aware of different health issues and resources available to them. This is done in two ways. The first way is through special events such as the Candlelight Vigil, World AIDS Day, Romance, Respect and Responsibility Week and the Annual Health Fair. The second way is through workshops that we prepare and present on diverse health topics.

On campus, we work with groups such as fraternities, sororities, residence halls, special housing units (i.e. Family Housing) and other organizations. Health educators from McKinley Health Center's Health Education Unit will facilitate most of these programs. We are here to make contacts and plan those programs.

 General Activities

• School Programs - We do programming with the Champaign-Urbana community for all age groups. Some common workshop topics are germs and handwashing, personal hygiene, self-esteem, nutrition, environmental and health science.
• Events - Women's Health Fair, Men of Impact Conference, Women of Color, National Nutrition Month, World AIDS Day, Annual Black Expo

 Special Activities

• Wizard of AIDS - Each year the Special Populations' Student Health Concerns Committee hosts an entertaining and educational theatrical performance called "The Wizard of AIDS," which is performed by a national touring theater group specializing in HIV/AIDS prevention education. The performance is designed to educate students about the prevention and course of HIV infection as well as to address the social issues associated with it through promoting communication, positive self-esteem, responsible decision making and compassion for those living with HIV/AIDS. The performance is absolutely free of charge. The performance is held each February in the Illini Union to celebrate Romance, Respect and Responsibility Week.
• Candlelight Vigil - For over seven years, as part of the National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, McKinley Health Center's Special Populations' Student Health Concerns Committee has hosted a Candlelight Vigil. It's purpose is to honor and remember those whose lives were lost from injuries as a result of alcohol-related accidents. The Candlelight Vigil usually takes place at the Illini Union during the month of October. The vigil is a community-wide event. Campus and Champaign-Urbana high school choirs have honored the victims with music and songs. Members of the community who have lost a loved one to an alcohol-related accident have offered their testimonies to the students in an effort to educate them and prevent drunk driving and alcohol-related injuries in our student population.
• Annual Health Fair - McKinley Health Center's Special Populations' Student Health Concerns Committee hosts a health fair each spring in the Illini Union. The event is open to all UIUC students, faculty, staff and also to Champaign-Urbana residents.  Several interactive events are available at the health fair including blood pressure/glucose screening, cholesterol screening, spinal checks, bone density checks, bone marrow/blood drives, career exhibitions, and information booths on nutrition, women's health, drugs/alcohol and stress management. A live DJ and performances by various campus groups and organizations liven up the atmosphere and make the event fun and exciting for all.

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