Southern Seven Health Department

Public Health has had a presence in southernmost Illinois for over 50 years. Minutes from meetings which are on file at our administrative office indicate that as far back as the early 1930's, personnel from the State of Illinoiswere working with local communities to provide the basic public health services we often take for granted such as safe drinking water, controlling communicable diseases (in those days it was tuberculosis and polio), and helping women have healthy babies. When we are doing our job, it's easy to forget why public health is so important, but next time you drink a glass of water or eat in a restaurant, remember how our job is protecting your health.

The seven counties served by Southern Seven Health Department, including Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union, cover 2003 square miles, which is slightly larger than the state of Delaware. We cover more geographic area than any other health department in the State of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, there were 69,008 people living in the seven counties.