Population Science and Policy Divisions

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.

Our Divisions

• Epidemiology and Biostatistics serve as a traditional academic research arm. It works to better understand the service region, gather and analyze data and publish work in scholarly journals.
• Human and Community Development collaborate with communities to identify and implement effective solutions to improve health through mixed methods research.
• Health System Science uses evidence-based research to inform and improve local, state and national policies that affect the health of rural populations.

PSP divisions collaborate to create a population science and policy curriculum for SIU medical students and offer hands-on experience to address and improve the health of Illinois communities.