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SIH is committed to improving the health and well-being of all people in the communities we serve, regardless of race, ethnicity, spoken language, sexual orientation, gender identity or economic status.

Health equity is a critical goal in healthcare, emphasizing the fair distribution of health resources, opportunities and care regardless of anyone's background, economic status or social determinants. At SIH, health equity is integral to our mission and values. It ensures every individual in our community has access to the healthcare services they need to live a healthy and fulfilling life.

SIH recognizes how health disparities – differences in health status and access to care among different population groups – are a significant challenge. These disparities are often rooted in economic, social and environmental disadvantages. Health equity aims to address and eliminate these disparities by providing care that meets each patient's individual needs while considering their unique circumstances. This approach improves individual health outcomes and enhances the overall well-being of the Southern Illinois community. 

Addressing social determinants or drivers of health (SDOH) is a key factor in providing equitable care. SDOH are social and environmental factors affecting a patient’s health status, such as alcohol and tobacco use, food insecurity, financial instability or transportation needs. Living below the poverty line can mean choosing between buying groceries or filling a much-needed prescription.

Health equity is achieved by providing care in a way that considers how the patients’ personal characteristics, such as gender, ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, impact their health. No two patients are the same, which is why providing the same assistance and resources doesn’t always lead to the same outcome. Achieving health equity requires a concerted effort to increase opportunities to be healthier for everyone, including those for whom obstacles are the greatest.

Health Equity in Action

Since November 2023, SIH staff have been assessing hospital inpatients for social determinants of health. Within 24 hours of admission, a nurse or case manager screens each patient to discuss their SDOH, also called health related social needs.

Questions discuss food insecurity, housing instability, transportation needs, utility difficulties and interpersonal safety. If a patient is experiencing any of these needs, they’re provided with community resources and contact information in their After Visit Summary. An SIH staff member will discuss these resources with the patient before they leave the hospital. The data also helps SIH develop action plans for each hospital and our regional communities, allowing SIH to provide resources and support where it's needed.

All screening results are confidentially housed within the patient chart in Epic and are protected by HIPAA.

Key Health Equity Initiatives

  • Informed by the 2021 SIH Community Health Needs Assessment, SIH has addressed the various social determinants of health through a variety of tactics, including:
  • Increased health and prevention screening opportunities offered for low-income individuals
  • Increased educational outreach and medical treatment for vulnerable populations, as seen in the Black Women’s, Black Men’s and Hispanic Health Conferences
  • Mandatory employee trainings on social determinants/drivers of health to reduce stigma and unconscious bias
  • Development of the Wellness on Wheels mobile unit in partnership with the Regional Hospital Coordinating Center to bring medical care and preventative screenings into disparate communities
  • Partnering with Land of Lincoln Legal Aid to provide legal assistance to low-income patients in addressing health-harming legal needs, such as Social Security Disability or Medicaid denials
  • Partnering to incorporate 80+ food pantries into the Southern Illinois Food Pantry Network to increase collaboration and reduce hunger in Southern Illinois
  • Providing tobacco cessation courses and assistance
  • Educating low-income patients on local transportation providers and the transportation assistance to and from medical appointments made available to them through their MCO’s (Managed Care Organizations)
  • Partnering with Saluki Athletics in developing the Rally Around the Pound campaign to reduce stigma against mental health and substance misuse
  • Expanding the Mulberry Center at the SIH Harrisburg Medical Center to increase inpatient psychiatric care access in Southern Illinois
  • Distributing Narcan through SIH Emergency Departments and SIH Medical Group Clinics and providing education to SIH staff physicians and advanced practice providers to reduce stigma for those experiencing substance misuse disorder
  • Piloting the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Program to provide prevention education and management resources
  • Demonstrating healthy cooking and nutritional education for low-income individuals through the Mobile Kitchen

SIH also continues to work towards health equity in Southern Illinois through various initiatives and funding opportunities, including:

  • Assisting patients with financial costs of care through the Coach Kill Cancer Fund and the Patient Care Fund, both coordinated by the SIH Foundation
  • Providing SI NOW with resources to catalyze economic development, business expansion and workforce development in Southern Illinois to reduce residents’ financial burdens
  • Donating funds to the Carbondale Warming Center and advocating with Illinois legislators on their behalf
  • Sponsoring community-based groups and organizations developing equitable events and resources 

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