Community Spotlight: Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network
Transforming southern Illinois into a region that supports and enhances healthy living
What services do you provide?
HSIDN provides a wide range of services aimed at improving the overall health of southern Illinois. The network supports policy, systems, and environmental changes such as establishing smoke-free spaces, improving access to walking paths, and promoting healthier school and worksite environments.
HSIDN also offers resources and training, providing toolkits and workshops that help schools and employers strengthen wellness programs.
In addition, initiatives like Camp BETA for children with Type 1 diabetes and chronic disease self-management workshops give individuals and families hands-on support to live healthier lives.
How have you seen the organization make a difference?
The difference HSIDN makes can be seen in both numbers and stories. Communities have adopted smoke-free policies in public spaces, marked walking paths, and embraced healthier transportation planning to encourage active living.
More than 80 schools have implemented the CATCH model and updated wellness policies, directly impacting children’s daily routines. Over 11,000 employees across the region have benefited from worksite wellness training.
Formed in 2008, the Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network (HSIDN) is a grassroots collaboration serving the lower sixteen southernmost counties with high rates of chronic disease, poverty, and limited access to healthy living.
HSIDN unites local health departments, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, coalitions, and community-based organizations to improve health through regional collaboration. HSIDN, drives policy, system and environmental changes guided by a steering committee, coalitions, and action teams.
With leadership from Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH), Local Health Departments, Southern Illinois University Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, and University of Illinois Extension, this network leverages shared resources to create sustainable, healthier communities.
HSIDN is more than a program, it’s a region-wide movement. Through strategic collaboration and sustainable initiatives, it brings meaningful health improvements to southern Illinois. From smoke-free environments to school health, from workplace wellness to youth camps, HSIDN is shaping a healthier future, one community at a time.
Is there anything you wish more people knew about your organization?
Many people may recognize HSIDN as a collaborative network but fewer realize how deeply rooted the effort is in southern Illinois communities.
Established as a grassroots initiative to unite local health departments, hospitals, health centers, universities, and more, HSIDN doesn’t just launch program.
It builds sustainable, community-driven infrastructure.
Regional efforts are coordinated by a steering committee and carried out through local coalitions, amplifying the work of individuals who are committed to improving health in their own communities
How can people get involved?
www.hsidn.org