Illinois 4-H health jam for healthy lifestyles and rural pipeline awareness.

This article discusses knowledge and encouragement of healthy lifestyles and health professions career awareness in rural youth. The Northern Illinois 4-H Health Jam, an innovative program targeting rural elementary school children to offer information and support related to exercise, wellness, nutrition, and health careers is described. From 2006 to 2008, a total of 262 youth have participated in the Health Jam, which is based on an experiential learning approach. Preevent versus postevent comparisons show statistically significant improvements in rural students' knowledge and attitudes about health topics and careers.