About us

The department of Population Science and Policy (PSP) at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU SOM) is a research and policy academic department dedicated to improving the health outcomes of the residents in central and southern Illinois. PSP works to understand the challenges of central and southern Illinois and provides innovative, sustainable solutions to improve health in their communities. 

The Department of Population Science and Policy was established to take a new approach to health care that combines data analysis, community engagement, and policy formation to address the social and structural factors that most influence health. Since our formation as the Office of the Population Science and Policy in 2016 and promotion to a full academic medical department in 2018, we have focused our work on the most pressing needs in rural and underserved Illinois.

Thanks to the foresight of SIU Medicine leaders, the Department is one of the nation’s first population health-focused academic medical departments and remains one of only a handful of such departments focused primarily on underserved rural communities. We work with both clinical and basic science departments to advance SIU School of Medicine’s mission to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois through education, patient care, research, and service to the community.

What is Population Science?

Population Science is understanding why certain populations are healthier than others and then using that information to find solutions to make people as healthy as possible. Population Science examines factors that can impact health outcomes. These factors can include health care, individual health behaviors, a person’s environment, social and economic circumstances and policies. Collectively, these factors are known as the social determinants of health.

The social determinants of health often affect health disparities, which are preventable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence or opportunities to achieve optimal health.

As health disparities widen, health equity, or the equal opportunity for all people to be healthy, is a growing national focus. Health equity acknowledges it is harder for people with fewer opportunities to achieve optimal health.

Why policy?

Policy is an integral part of creating sustainable solutions. The Department of Population Science and Policy evaluates guidelines and laws on all levels - from standard operating procedures at schools and hospitals to local, state and national legislation - to inform and improve policies to effectively impact health.

The Department of Population Science and Policy also researches the impact of changes in health law and collaborates with internal and external partners to identify policy gaps that impact the health of our region. By designing interventions and informing and improving policies, the Department of Population Science and Policy provides innovative, sustainable solutions to improve health in communities. The Department’s ultimate goal is to provide opportunities for healthier, happier, more successful lives for the residents of central and southern Illinois.

Research opportunities

The department of Population Science and Policy is collaborating with education faculty and staff to provide students with up-close, experiential learning activities. The education team is able to introduce students to a vast number of projects in which they can assist. research topics include children's health and development, cancer disparities with an emphasis on rural areas, sexually transmitted infections, health systems policy, and other projects of interest. For more details on opportunities, contact Carol Coniglio.