By Emily Gratopp, MS, ACC, ACTC, Extension Educator in Lancaster County
Nebraska Extension is reaffirming its commitment to helping Nebraskans lead healthy lives. The urgency is clear: national health-care expenditures are estimated to have grown 8.2% in 2024, exceeding $5 trillion(1). At the same time, cardiovascular disease remains the nation’s top killer, quickly followed by cancer(2). In our own circles of family, neighbors and co-workers, we can all identify someone who fits into these statistics. Everyone is impacted in some way by increasing health-care costs and disease rates.
To better reflect our efforts to these health needs and trajectories, Nebraska Extension’s “Food, Nutrition & Health” program area has been changed to “Health & Wellbeing.” This change is not simply re-branding — but expanding our scope of work. We are building on years of work that have shifted toward a broader vision of wellbeing. Nutrition continues to be a core pillar, however, health is much more than what’s on our plates.
THE SCOPE OF HEALTH & WELLBEING
Health & Wellbeing includes important concepts for health such as getting getting sufficient sleep, regular physical activity, stress management, supportive relationships, safe housing and neighborhoods and mental flourishing. Nebraska Extension will continue to expand efforts into health and wellbeing spaces such as cancer prevention and chronic disease management. Research in public health and social determinants of health emphasizes the interplay of health factors that impact health(3).
This broader scope of work and new name align perfectly with Nebraska Extension’s Big 3 Strategic Initiatives, one of them being “Enhancing the Health & Wellbeing of All Nebraskans” along with University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Grand Challenges outlined as “Health Equity.” By embracing a broader view, Nebraska Extension is stepping fully into its role as a key partner in the local public-health system and population-health initiatives.
MENTAL HEALTH
A new venture addresses youth mental resilience. I collaborated with a student I trained as a Community Wellbeing Advocate to engage youth in mental resilience. Resilience is a component of mental health that involves the ability to bounce-back during trials, perform under pressure and maintain gritty goals that enable development over time. Resilience is widely recognized as a protective factor that buffers stress and supports positive youth development(4). Mental resilience can be strengthened by practicing a growth mindset and fostering supportive relationships.
In fall 2025, I taught more than 400 youth these resilience concepts — and one of the most powerful moments came when I told students, “I believe in you” and “I know you will do great things.” When she asked the classes how it felt to hear those words, students responded: “I feel like I can do anything!” “I feel like you really see me and like you really care.” “I feel more confident.”
These short statements had a surprisingly profound impact — and they illustrate a key truth: we are social beings who flourish when we are seen, supported and connected. Extension’s newly-named Health & Wellbeing program area expands the concept of health to include elements like social wellbeing and mental resilience for population health.
As we begin the year ahead, take stock of social-health and include time in your calendar to nurture supportive relationships and meaningful connections. They matter just as much as eating broccoli, getting daily movement and reducing tobacco use.
Together, we can support the health of our community — physically, socially and mentally — and ensure that Nebraska leads the way in wellbeing for all.
Sources:
(1) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2024). National Health Expenditure Data: Projections for 2024. https://cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/national-health-expenditure-data
(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). Leading Causes of Death. https://cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm
(3) American Public Health Association (APHA). (2023). Social Determinants of Health. https://apha.org/topics-and-issues/health-equity
(4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Resilience and Youth Development. https://cdc.gov/healthyyouth