For decades, Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) has been at the forefront of identifying and addressing community health needs. Long before the Affordable Care Act mandated Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) in 2012, SIH’s Community Benefits Department partnered with health departments and organizations to evaluate challenges and develop meaningful solutions. The CHNA is conducted once every three years by staff and leadership across the SIH health system, along with a diverse group of community partners.

The goals of this systematic process are to:

  • Identify and prioritize health issues in the SIH service area, particularly for vulnerable and under-represented populations
  • Ensure that programs and services closely match the priorities and needs of the community
  • Strategically address those needs to improve the health of the communities served by SIH facilities

Since the 1990s, this collaborative approach has shaped initiatives enhancing the well-being of Southern Illinoisans. In 2024, SIH’s four-hospital system built on this foundation by conducting a joint CHNA with a broad network of partners. Together, we identified key health concerns and factors shaping quality of life in the region. The three priority health issues selected are:

  1. Access to Care, focusing on non-emergency medical transportation
  2. Behavioral Health, focusing on mental health and substance misuse
  3. Chronic Disease Prevention, Management & Treatment, focusing on cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes
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View Current CHNA Results