News & Press https://www.wpha.org/news/default.asp Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:19:50 GMT Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:07:00 GMT Copyright © 2026 WPHA Registration now open for FREE Injury and Violence Prevention Summit https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=724579 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=724579 Registration is now open for the 2026 Wisconsin Injury and Violence Prevention Summit!

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will host the Wisconsin Injury and Violence Prevention Summit on June 10–11, 2026. The summit is 100% virtual and free! Highlights include the following: 

  • DHS will unveil the IVP state strategic plan and offer space for attendees to discuss the plan with colleagues.
  • Continuing education hours (CEHs) will be available for free. The number of CEHs depends on which sessions you attend, with six hours of credit in total available for the summit.
  • The Summit will also feature a keynote address from Dr. Phyllis Holditch Niolon, senior scientist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and updates from the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). 
]]> Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:07:00 GMT Wisconsin Medical Journal Article: Putting Out Fires https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=719832 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=719832 Putting Out Fires: The Experiences of Wisconsin Rural Health Officers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A new study published in WMJ explores the lived experiences of rural health officers across 13 Wisconsin counties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through in-depth interviews, authors highlight the immense challenges faced by rural public health leaders—including limited resources, workforce shortages, political pressure, misinformation, and threats to personal safety—alongside the mental toll and burnout that followed. Despite these barriers, health officers also reported meaningful successes, such as stronger partnerships with health care systems, schools, and local businesses. The findings underscore the urgent need for sustained public health funding, employee protections, and stronger state–local communication to support rural communities now and in future crises.

The authors of the study are: Samantha Crowley, MD, MPH; Sarah D. Hohl, MPH, PhD; Hazel Behling; John Eich; Gary D. Gilmore, MPH, PhD, MCHES; Jonathan Temte, MD, PhD

Read the study here. 

]]> Mon, 26 Jan 2026 21:40:00 GMT AHW Launches 2026 Momentum Grant Funding https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=711036 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=711036 We're excited to announce that AHW is offering grants of up to $250,000

for community health projects, health-focused research, and health workforce development initiatives designed to address pressing health challenges in Wisconsin. Funding is available for Wisconsin-based community-led partnerships with Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) collaborators and MCW-led research teams.

AHW has allocated $6 million for this funding opportunity for community-led partnerships with MCW collaborators and $4.5 million for MCW-led projects. For both grant types, funded projects must be completed during a 24-month period beginning on July 1, 2026.

Letters of intent (LOIs) to apply for AHW Momentum Grants are due on Oct. 27, 2025. A merit review of LOIs will result in invitations to selected applicants for full proposals, which will be due on Feb. 23, 2026. 

Learn more about each of the AHW Momentum Grant opportunities on the following pages:

The links above provide detailed information about the funding opportunities. Take a look today to review the full call for applications, download application resources, review the application timeline, and watch informational videos about funding requirements, application logistics, and peer review. 

The AHW team is here to support you. Please see the links above and schedule a consultation to connect with the AHW team today!]]> Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:52:00 GMT WPHA Organizational Member News & Feature: Covering Wisconsin https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=590865 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=590865 Amid the ongoing COVID pandemic, it is more important than ever for Wisconsinites to have quality, affordable health insurance. And thanks to COVID relief, health insurance prices are lower than ever before.

Open enrollment in the federal health insurance marketplace, Healthcare.gov, is open now until January 15, 2022 for Wisconsinites to sign up or change their plan. But even after this date, there are still opportunities for consumers to get covered—and free, local experts available to help.

As trusted sources of health information—often connecting with the public at moments when they are already considering and making decision about their health, public health professionals play a vital role in spreading the word about the importance of health insurance and free, local help.

Covering Wisconsin (www.coveringwi.org) is a nonprofit organization that helps people in Wisconsin find and use health insurance. CWI’s expert Health Insurance Navigators provide free assistance all year. Navigators and other local enrollment assisters work with Wisconsinites to:

  • Find plans and best prices
  • Sign up for Healthcare.gov, BadgerCare Plus or Medicaid
  • Understand health insurance questions, big or small
  • Solve billing or coverage problems

Covering Wisconsin can also:

  • Provide free training and educational materials for public health professionals and the public on health insurance topics
  • Get you free flyers, outreach cards, and more to help you spread the word
  • Connect you with the local enrollment assisters in your area

Contact Courtney Harris, Outreach & Partner Relations Manager at Covering Wisconsin (charris2@wisc.edu) to learn more.

]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2021 15:07:42 GMT American Lung Association in Wisconsin Events https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=586517 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=586517 Join the American Lung Association in Wisconsin for two upcoming events!

 

Wisconsin Lung Cancer Screening and Policy Discussion

Join the conversation with experts Dr. Alberto de Hoyos, MD, FACS, FCCP; Dr. Anand Narayan, MD; and Leslie Mann. They will share information on recent changes in lung cancer screening recommendations and coverage, and opportunities to collaborate on lung cancer policy work in the coming year.

 

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
How Addiction, New Devices and Punitive Policies Continue to Harm Youth in the E-cigarette Epidemic

Learn about the youth nicotine epidemic and its connection to behavioral health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey reports that 2 million U.S. middle and high school students use e-cigarettes during the pandemic. Tobacco, nicotine, and behavioral health are not stand-alone issues. Youth that experience mental illness are three times more likely to try e-cigarettes. A distinguished group of panelists will discuss the basis of addiction, current data trends on youth use, and best practice in school policy. Discover community resources and partners that can support youth who experience tobacco and nicotine dependence.
]]> Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:31:23 GMT Wisconsin Champions Needed to Support Moms & Babies https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=580616 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=580616
Description

Mark your calendar and make plans to join us for the 2021 March of Dimes- Wisconsin Capital Day on Tuesday, November 16th, 2021

Purpose

We will discuss ways to engage with legislators during this legislative session, how to urge lawmakers to support policies that help mothers and babies access high-quality healthcare in Wisconsin.

Role

Be an active participant with our lobby day activities as well as schedule a meeting with your state legislator and share with our March of Dimes Wisconsin staff how your meeting went.

Vibe

Active participant, impactful

Location

Madison, WI 53703 (sign up to see exact location)


]]> Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:56:28 GMT WI Flood Risk Map Application Webinar Invite Sharing https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=439096 https://www.wpha.org/news/news.asp?id=439096 Please join the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Climate and Health Program for a webinar next month: Wisconsin Flood Risk Mapping Application: A New Tool for Flood Preparedness and Response.  This webinar will provide an overview and demonstration of how to use the features of this interactive mapping tool.  Additionally, guest speakers will showcase how this tool can be used in a variety of ways to aid in flood preparedness and response.

See all details below:

DATE: Monday, March 18th

TIME: 11 AM - 12 PM

COST: Free

REGISTRATION: None

ACCESS SLIDES: Follow this link at the time of the webinar.  Like to be prepared? Test your connection ahead of time by visiting this page and clicking the “Run Diagnostic Test” button.

AUDIO: Call in by dialing 1-877-820-7831.  The passcode is 708492.

RECORDING: We will record this webinar and make it available for future viewing.

GUEST SPEAKERS: Katie Sommers (Wisconsin Emergency Management) and Troy Maggied (Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission)

 

We hope you can join us!  Please let the Climate and Health Program know if you have any questions in the meantime by emailing Megan.Christenson@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

 

]]> Thu, 21 Feb 2019 11:19:47 GMT