A group of people smiling and laughing together outside

Working Together for a
Healthier Wisconsin


A group of multigenerational people smiling and laughing together outside


Health & Well-Being Institute Focus Areas

Wooden box full of homegrown produce Top view of fresh organic vegetables in a wooden box. Box full of homegrown produce
Hospital, medical and hands of doctor with stethoscope for professional cardiology exam closeup.
Two mature older women friends doing exercises together
Cheerful black woman with friend at home
Mid adult women embracing in a group therapy
A woman smiling in a field

About the Health and Well-Being Institute

We support healthier lives by working with and for the people, communities, and Tribal nations of Wisconsin to build relationships, facilitate learning, and pursue data-informed and culturally-based strategies. 

Imagine a Wisconsin where every community thrives, supported by access to the research, resources and programming of the University of Wisconsin. That’s the Wisconsin Idea, embodied in the Health & Well-Being Institute of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension. 

We work with community partners to catalyze positive change in Wisconsin communities through evidence-informed programs to promote health and well-being. Rooted in both urban and rural communities, we’re working together to help solve the state’s most pressing well-being needs and to ensure that all Wisconsinites have the opportunity to live stronger, healthier lives.

Multigenerational friends with different ethnicity having fun at house rooftop

Direct Education

We provide community-based education to increase knowledge, skills, and confidence in health promoting activities. 

Policy, Systems, and Environmental  Support

We partner with community-based organizations to identify needs, strengths and solutions that go beyond the individual to address organizational and community factors that influence health.

Health Communication Campaigns

We utilize principles of health communications and marketing to share well-being messages with individuals and communities to shift cultural norms and perceptions.

Parents walking with daughters carrying them on piggyback.

Impact

We reach

164k+

Wisconsin individuals each year

Success Stories

Three multi-ethnic construction workers chatting A group of three multi-ethnic workers at a construction site wearing hard hats, safety glasses and reflective clothing, smiling and conversing. The main focus is on the mixed race African-American and Pacific Islander man in the middle. The other two construction workers, including the woman, are Hispanic.

Supporting Recovery and Reducing Stigma: The Impact of Recovery Friendly Workplaces

Recovery Friendly Workplaces enhance employee well-being and contribute to overall organizational success, demonstrating the value of investing in recovery-friendly initiatives.

Two women sitting down across from each other holding hands in support.

Empowering Communities with Compassionate Support and Practical: Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is an essential course designed to teach participants how to recognize, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. It equips individuals with practical skills rooted in evidence-based practices. 

Child laying on rock in a forest smiling. Child Stock Photo

Empowering Youth with Mindfulness for Emotional Resilience and Academic Success: Learning to BREATHE

Learning to Breathe continues to empower young learners with essential skills that foster resilience and mental well-being, equipping them for a healthier and more mindful future.

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