Wisconsin, known as "America's Dairyland," is a leader
in the production of milk, cheese, and other dairy products. The
state also has a strong manufacturing sector. Wisconsin is in the
Great Lakes region, bordered on the north by Lake Superior and
on the east by Lake Michigan. Wisconsin covers 54,310 square miles,
with a 2006 estimated population of 5,556,506 people – 1,537,228
living in rural Wisconsin (USDA-ERS). Madison, the capital, is
located in the southern region of the state. The state’s
largest cities are Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. According
to the 2006 Census, 90% of the state’s population is white,
6.0% is African American/Black,
2.0% is Asian, 0.9% is American Indian & Alaska Native, and 4.7% is of Hispanic/Latino
origin.
There are 124 hospitals in Wisconsin, 61 of which
are located in rural areas (North Carolina Rural Health Research
and Policy Analysis Center, 2007). The state has 58
hospitals currently identified by the Flex Monitoring Team as Critical
Access Hospitals. There are 59 Rural Health Clinics in Wisconsin (CMS, 2008), and 15 Federally
Qualified Health Centers provide services at 61 sites in the state
(Kaiser, 2006). Most Wisconsinites have some form of health insurance
coverage, although 9% of the state's residents lack any health
insurance (Kaiser, 2005-2006.)
According to the Economic Research Service, the average per-capita
income for all Wisconsinites in 2006 was $34,405, although rural
per-capita income lagged at $29,022. 2005 estimates indicate a
poverty rate of 9.7% exists in rural
Wisconsin, compared to a 10.5% level in urban areas of the state. Data from 2000
finds 17% of the rural population has not completed high school, while only 14.1%
of the urban population lacks a high school diploma. The unemployment rate in
rural Wisconsin is at 5.3%, while in urban Wisconsin it is at 4.8% (USDA-ERS, 2007).
See the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health’s Rural Reporter for daily updates on rural news and rural health funding.
For a national comparison, please see an overview of the United States.
Data Sources:
U.S. Census
Bureau: State & County QuickFacts
USDA
Economic Research Service: State Fact Sheets
North
Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Kaiser
Family Foundation State Health Facts
Flex
Monitoring Team: Critical Access Hospital List
Organizations
HUD Community Development Block Grants: Wisconsin
Federal government
Contact information for the State CDBG program. Provides funding for community development projects.
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region (NN/LM-GMR)
State/regional organization
Works to improve access to health information for health professionals, librarians and members of the public in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC)
State/regional organization
Supports and enhances rural health and quality of care through a variety of products and services with an emphasis on developing integrated networks among freestanding entities.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Wisconsin
Federal government
Works to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing. The HUD state office provides information about HUD housing programs and local contacts for the state.
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Office
Federal government
Committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. The Rural Development State Office provides information about Rural Development programs and applications for financial assistance.
Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine (WARM)
Academic/Research
A comprehensive rural medical education program dedicated to improving the supply of physicians in rural Wisconsin and improving the health of rural Wisconsin communities. A program within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health MD Program.
Wisconsin Area Health Education Center
State/regional organization
The Wisconsin AHEC System works to improve the supply, distribution and quality of health care professionals in Wisconsin, thereby improving access to health care in the state's rural and urban underserved areas.
Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support
State government
Contributes to the well-being of children through the establishment of paternity and the establishment and enforcement of court-ordered child support and medical support obligations.
Wisconsin Community Action Program Association
State/regional organization
Serves Wisconsin's low-income people and promotes the development of resources which demonstrate progress toward the elimination of poverty. Includes the Wisconsin Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP), which helps support rural community infrastructure.
Wisconsin Dental Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
The Wisconsin Dental Foundation's mission is to support projects which enhance dental health and the art and science of dentistry in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
State government
Provides development assistance in Wisconsin in the areas of marketing, business and community finance, exporting, small business advocacy, and manufacturing assessments.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
State government
Responsible for a variety of areas, including child welfare, long term care, disability programs, substance abuse, mental health and public health programs, regulation and licensing of facilities, operation of care and treatment facilities, the food stamp program, medical assistance and health care for low income families, elderly and disabled persons.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Developmental Disabilities Services and Programs
State government
Responsible for the development and implementation of statewide policy, services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Mental Health
State government
Community mental health services and inpatient mental health.
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services: Substance Abuse Services
State government
Provides services relating to substance use and abuse, gambling awareness, reducing tobacco sales to minors, and recovery.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Special Education Team
State government
Provide statewide leadership, advocacy, technical assistance, and promotes collaboration among parents, educators, students, communities and other agencies to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education.
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
State government
State agency charged with building and strengthening Wisconsin's workforce.
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
State government
A federal/state program designed to obtain, maintain, and improve employment for people with disabilities by working with vocational rehabilitation consumers, employers, and other partners.
Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center
State/regional organization
The Wisconsin Geriatric Education Center (WGEC) is a formal consortium of academic and health care organizations, formed in 1986 for the purpose of creating educational resources and training opportunities in geriatrics for health professionals, faculty, practitioners, and students in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Head Start Association
State/regional organization
Membership organization representing the children, staff and Head Start programs of Wisconsin. Head Start provides a comprehensive child development program for children and their families.
Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA)
State/regional organization
Advocates for the ability of its members to provide high quality health care services to Wisconsin communities.
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)
State government
Works to link Wisconsin residents and communities with affordable housing and economic development opportunities.
Wisconsin Minority Health Program
State government
The primary point of contact on minority health for the Department of Health Services and develops initiatives to advance the health of racial and ethnic minority communities in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Office of Rural Health
State/regional organization
Dedicated to improving the quality of health for rural and underserved communities in Wisconsin by collaborating with health care organizations and systems, community based providers and individuals, and educational organizations to develop programs and provide resources designed to enhance life in rural communities.
Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association
State/regional organization
Works to advance geographic, financial and cultural access to comprehensive, community-oriented primary health care services for all people in Wisconsin. Represents a statewide network of Community and Migrant Health Centers, Healthcare for the Homeless Programs and other organizations that share in the Association's mission.
Wisconsin Rural Partners
State/regional organization
A network of Wisconsin public and private sector partners who promote collaboration, innovation, diversity, and community-based priorities.
Tools
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
Web site
Promotes success in agriculture for farmers with disabilities and their families. AgrAbility of Wisconsin is a partnership between the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension and Easter Seals Wisconsin.
Building a Medical Home Partnership: A Wisconsin Toolkit
Web site
Offers stories and insights by Wisconsin physicians and families on creating a Medical Home Partnership. They provide key steps of quality improvement and the small steps that can make big differences for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
EMS Resource Guide for Critical Access Hospitals
Web site
Provides information and resources to Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to help them strengthen and improve rural emergency medical services (EMS) capacity in local communities. Covers infrastructure, human resources, funding sources, legislation and regulation, and more.
ERS State Fact Sheet: Wisconsin
Web site
Lists statistics on population, educational attainment, employment, income, farm characteristics, and farm financial indicators for the state.
Future of Farming and Rural Life in Wisconsin
Web site
Project exploring Wisconsin's potential for economic and sustainable growth through agriculture.
National Healthcare Quality Report State Snapshot: Wisconsin
Web site
Health care quality report for the state, based on the National Healthcare Quality Report.
NN/LM Greater Midwest Region: Wisconsin Resources
Web site
Overview of the state, with links to resources for Wisconsin.
Rural Health Careers in Wisconsin
Web site
Free interactive jobs and recruitment website for rural Wisconsin. Includes clinical and non-clinical job postings.
State of Wisconsin: ACCESS
Web site
Tool allowing Wisconsin residents to apply for benefits online. Programs covered include Medicaid, BadgerCare, the Family Planning Waiver Program, and FoodShare.
State Profiles- Wisconsin: Health Information Technology (HIT)
Web site
Profiles the state’s health information technology (HIT) issues. Contains sections on demographics, HIT legislation, telemedicine, Health Information Exchanges (HIE) & Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIO), grant funded HIT projects, and HIT survey information.
Wisconsin QuickFacts
Web site
Basic demographic and economic statistics for the state, with links to county-level data.
Wisconsin Community Level Information on Kids (CLIKS)
Web site
Provides data on child well-being for the state.
Wisconsin Health Centers Data
Web site
Provides access to information on Federally Qualified Health Centers for the state. Includes a map of FQHC locations, as well as information on the populations served by health centers, services provided, staff, patient visits, costs of care, and use of electronic health information.
Wisconsin Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile
Web site
Highlights compile 2000 data on levels of employment, projected growth and key environmental factors that affect demand for health care. Details for medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, mental health and aides.
Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Dentist Recruitment
Web site
Program providing information on general dentist positions in towns and cities of all sizes located throughout Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Physician Recruitment
Web site
Helps place physicians in rural Wisconsin communities. Opportunities are listed by specialty and by region.
Wisconsin State Health Facts
Database
The latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. Individual state profiles and 50-state comparisons.
Wisconsin Well Woman Program
Web site
Provides preventive health screening services to women with little or no health insurance coverage. Well Woman pays for mammograms, Pap tests, certain other health screenings, and multiple sclerosis testing for women with high risk signs of multiple sclerosis.
Wisconsin Women's Health Guide
Other
Guide to programs and services that can help Wisconsin women. Includes a county-by-county list of health services.
See also: Resources for All States: Tools Funding
Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members
Grant program for veterans that provides limited financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other sources of aid.
Bush Medical Fellows Program
Fellowships to physicians to receive training in special areas and to develop opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Hermes Monato, Jr. Prize
Annual award for the University of Wisconsin's best rural health paper.
IFF
IFF is a nonprofit community development lender providing affordable, flexible and accessible loans to nonprofits serving low-income or special-needs populations.
Wisconsin Governor's School Health Award
Award recognizing and celebrating schools with policies, programs, and the infrastructure to support and promote healthy eating; physical activity; alcohol-, tobacco-, and drug-free lifestyles; and parental and community involvement.
Wisconsin's Health Professions Loan Assistance Program (HPLAP)
Health care professionals in Wisconsin can receive up to $50,000 in educational loan assistance.
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this state that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Documents, Reports and Other Publications
Burden of Injury in Wisconsin
State and county-level statistics on the burden of injuries to Wisconsin residents from 2002-2004.
Date: 2006
Demographic and Economic Profile: Wisconsin
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
Discusses demographic and economic data including population, race, education, age, poverty, health care services, and employment. Includes maps and graphics.
Effect of the Physician J-1 Visa Waiver on Rural Wisconsin
Author(s): Byron J. Crouse, Randy L. Munson
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Medical Society
Reports the results of a study evaluating the retention and acceptance of J-1 Visa Waiver physicians in rural Wisconsin.
Journal citation: Wisconsin Medical Journal Volume 105 Issue 7 Pages: 16-20
Date: 2006
Health Care in Wisconsin: An AARP Survey of Residents Age 18 to 64
Author(s): Erica L. Dinger
Sponsoring organization: AARP
A report of a phone survey that explores the opinions and experiences of Wisconsin residents age 18 to 64 on healthcare issues in their State.
Date: 04 / 2007
Reaching Out to Rural Regions: New MD Program Aims to Address Shortages
Author(s): Dian Land
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Office of Rural Health
Highlights the University of Wisconsin School
of Medicine and Public Health WARM Program, which is a new medical degree created and aimed at addressing the serious shortage of physicians in rural areas of Wisconsin. WARM stands for The Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine.
Date: 11 / 2006
Small Business Profile: Wisconsin
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Small Business Administration
Profile of the state's economy, covering the number of firms, industry composition, small business income, banking, women and minority business ownership, and employment.
Date: 2006
State Profiles - Wisconsin: Reforming the Health Care System
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
Detailed profile of the state's health care system. Covers demographics, expenditures and financing, health status, utilization and quality of services, health care providers, Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance coverage, and key trends.
Date: 12 / 2005
Who Will Care For Our Patients? Wisconsin Takes Action to Fight a Growing Physician Shortage
Sponsoring organization: Wisconsin Hospital Association
Describes physician supply and demand in Wisconsin, including some data specific to rural physician supply. Includes examples of successful programs that address physician shortages in other states.
Date: 03 / 2004
WisKids Count 2005
A collection of indicators of child well-being in the State of Wisconsin.
Date: 2005
See also: Resources for All States: Documents Success Stories
Alliance for Hispanic Outreach and Regional Awareness Coalition
The overarching goal of this proposal is to reduce health disparities in the Latino/Hispanic population in a four county area by increasing access to health care, providing health information and education, increasing direct health care services, improving occupational health and safety and developing community capacity and infrastructure to deliver culturally competent health care services.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc. Project
This partnership project seeks to improve dementia services and availability in northern Wisconsin.
EMS Co-op Helps Rural Providers
Using the power of group purchasing within a cooperative structure, the North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) is an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperative developed to serve Minnesota and surrounding states.
Farmers' Health Cooperative of Wisconsin
The Farmers’ Health Cooperative of Wisconsin (FHCW) is a cooperative formed to serve Wisconsin farmers and agribusinesses by allowing them to join the co-op to purchase health insurance.
Healthiest Manitowoc County 2010 Project
This project will enhance the efforts of Healthiest Manitowoc County 2010 (HMC2010) through the implementation of four initiatives: Know Your Numbers, High School Peer Health Education, Manitowoc County Network for Child Passenger Safety, and Healthy Teeth Healthy Kids.
Ho-Chunk Nation Youth Fitness Project
The ultimate goal of the Ho-Chunk Nation Youth Fitness Project (HYFP) is to prevent, or at least delay, the onset of type 2 diabetes among people of Ho-Chunk Nation, an already high-risk ethnic group.
Occupational Health and Safety Migrant and Industry Mobile Health Unit
Three hospitals and a migrant health center in central
Wisconsin have implemented a mobile health clinic to provide occupational health and safety services to industrial and migrant workers throughout a 20 county region.
On Different Ground
This program served adults older than 60 years, tribal adults older than 55, and disabled adults older than 18 who were unable to seek traditional services and required in-home substance abuse and mental health counseling, support, or treatment.
Polk County Health Access Consortium
This innovative project was designed to help families seeking eligibility for public and private health care benefits in Polk County, Wisconsin.
ProACTIVE Wellness Initiative: Helping Wisconsin Workers Get Fit
Employees at D&S Manufacturing in Black River Falls, Wis., are healthier these days, since participating in a worksite wellness initiative.
Rural Health Initiative (Stevens Point, Wisconsin)
This project produced several innovative solutions to the lack of affordable dental care in the area by providing dental health services to low-income residents including: outreach, transportation to dental appointments using Head Start buses, and preventative fluoride supplements.
Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative “Club Scrub”
Rural providers collaborated on an interactive, after-school program called “Club Scrub” – a community partnership involving local hospitals and their respective school systems. The primary goal of the program was to increase awareness of health-related professions.
Rural Zones of Collaboration -- Sauk City, WI
The purpose of Rural Zones of Collaboration was to increase collaboration among competing health plans along with rural hospitals and practitioners in south-central Wisconsin.
Sowing the Seeds of Hope
Sowing the Seeds of Hope is responding to the mental health needs of farm families. This is a collaborative effort of project leaders in seven predominantly rural states: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Tri-State Rural Health Partnership
This seven organization partnership made it possible to provide a wide range of health services including training to middle school students and teachers to recognize and respond to heart attack situations, access to health services and information, including walk-in services, general health education, parent education and health screenings for a variety of conditions such as elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, and an osteoporosis prevention program, and wellness programs for older women.
Western Dairyland Rural Health Outreach Project
Designed to serve a three-county area, the goals of the project were to increase access to reproductive health services, establish a children's dental sealant clinic for low-income children, create healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation programs, and implement a reproductive health education program in local schools.
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