The Southern 7 Health Department (S7HD) is proud to mark its 45th anniversary on July 1. Since its inception in 1979, S7HD has been dedicated to promoting a safe and healthy environment through preventive health care, family support services, and child development programs. The department's roots, however, stretch back to the 1930s, when local and state personnel collaborated to provide safe drinking water, control communicable diseases, and promote healthy pregnancies. Despite the evolution of its approaches and techniques, S7HD’s core mission has remained the same: to protect public health from birth to end of life.
Formed from the consolidation of various county health departments, S7HD serves the residents of Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union counties. Governed by a 28-member Board of Health and employing 190 staff members, the department covers 2,003 square miles—slightly larger than the state of Delaware. Despite being the largest geographical health department in Illinois, S7HD operates in a predominantly rural area with a population of just over 62,000, according to the 2020 census. The department ensures that no one is denied basic public health services due to an inability to pay, funded by local taxes, state and federal grants, and service fees.
S7HD offers a wide range of services at its public health clinics, including cancer screenings, maternal and child health services, communicable disease management, immunizations, and environmental health services. Their Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Mobile Unit extends these services to the most remote parts of their jurisdiction. Additionally, the department is home to the region’s Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), a group of healthcare and non-healthcare volunteers working to strengthen the health and safety of the community.
In 1993, S7HD significantly expanded its capabilities by receiving the seven-county federal Head Start program. This program supports 392 children and their families with services that include school readiness, health screenings, developmental assessments, family health education, and nutritious meals. To learn more about Southern 7 Health Department and its programs, visit southern7.org, download the Southern 7 app, or call 618-634-2297.
