Healthy habits are rarely built overnight, even if they can look that way while scrolling through social media before falling asleep. Habits are shaped gradually, influenced by environment, support and everyday choices.
That idea sits at the center of Episode 2 of Brewing Better Health, the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health’s conversation series that brings public health discussions back to the table, one cup of Turkish coffee at a time.
In this episode, Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci, M.D., MPH, sits down with Angela Heinemann, Ph.D., associate teaching professor in the Department of Kinesiology, to talk about why building healthy habits early matters and how prevention shapes lifelong health.
Heinemann’s work focuses on physical activity, behavior change and prevention across the life course. During the conversation, she reflects on what research shows about habit formation, why behavior change can be harder than people expect and how small, realistic choices can make a difference, whether you are in elementary school, a student at Nevada or at any stage of life.
Rather than focusing on fitness or performance, the discussion centers on accessibility, consistency and support. The episode highlights how movement fits into everyday life and why meeting people where they are is essential to effective public health practice.
“These conversations remind us that public health is not only about policy or systems,” Akpinar-Elci said. “It is about the daily decisions, environments and supports that shape health over time.”
Brewing Better Health features faculty and public health leaders from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health and beyond. Each episode pairs thoughtful conversation with the tradition of Turkish coffee, emphasizing connection, listening and shared understanding.
