Who We Serve.
What We Examine.
We look beyond a single event to understand the bigger picture — the social, environmental, and community factors that influence risk and well-being across all stages of life.
People
Centered
Real people.
Real change.
Prevention
Focused
Identify risks.
Build solutions.
Stronger
Communities
Healthy people.
Brighter futures.
Lasting
Impact
Today's insight.
healthier tomorrow.
OUR APPROACH
Understanding
More to Build a
Healthier Illinois.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ is not a medical diagnostic, treatment, or individual outcome-prediction program. We do not diagnose conditions, predict what will happen to an individual, or replace licensed healthcare or behavioral-health professionals. Instead, our work examines the social determinants of health and other factors that influence risk and well-being across individuals, families, and communities.
Through our From Prevention to Prediction framework, Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ looks beyond a single event or condition to better understand the circumstances surrounding it. We examine social, environmental, behavioral, economic, family, and community factors; identify pathways that may contribute to vulnerability; recognize protective factors; and connect people with education, resources, and community-based solutions.
POPULATIONS & AREAS OF FOCUS
Across Every Stage of Life.
We serve and examine factors that impact individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
MATERNAL &
INFANT HEALTH
Understanding the social, environmental, family, and resource-related factors that can influence maternal health, infant mortality, and early childhood safety.
CHILDHOOD & YOUTH
Examining the factors surrounding child mortality, drowning, school violence, family, trafficking vulnerability, and other risks affecting children and adolescents.
YOUNG ADULTS
Exploring the transition into adulthood and the social, behavioral, educational, economic, and environmental factors that can increase vulnerability.
ADULTS & MIDLIFE
Understanding how employment, relationships, housing, financial stability, behavioral factors, environment, and access to resources can influence health and well-being during adulthood.
MEN & WOMEN
IN MIDLIFE
Recognizing that risk can change across the lifespan and examining factors affecting physical health, behavioral wellness, family stability, economic security, and longevity.
Older Adults &
Aging
Examining factors that may affect healthy aging, independence, safety, social connection, housing, access to resources, and vulnerability among older adults.
Community Safety & Violence
Exploring the social, environmental, relational, and behavioral factors associated with violence, homicide, trafficking, and other preventable community harms.
Substance Use & Overdose
Understanding the interconnected individual, family, community, and social factors that contribute to substance-related risk and overdose.
Chronic Disease & Wellness
Examining factors associated with conditions such as diabetes and other preventable health outcomes, including environment, access to resources, behavior, economics, and social conditions.
FROM PREDICTION TO PREVENTION
A Different Question.
A Stronger Future.
Illinois C.A.R.E.S.™ asks a different question: What can we understand before the outcome occurs?
By examining patterns across the lifespan and understanding how risk factors intersect with social determinants of health, we can identify opportunities to strengthen protective factors, improve access to resources, and support healthier individuals, families, and communities.
Our goal is not to predict an individual’s future. Our goal is to better understand the pathways that can lead to preventable outcomes — and identify opportunities to change those pathways.