Making the Invisible Visible

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s statewide Healthy Living Network engages physicians as leaders for directing wellness and disease prevention efforts in communities across Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Healthy Living Network brings together Foundation CHAMP teams, Foundation Ambassadors and a broad array of partners to promote, encourage and support community health and wellness.

Foundation Ambassadors, physicians who have committed to lead and connect important public health messages within their communities, and local partners raise awareness through the media and other messages, and CHAMP teams help implement health-focused community-initiated projects.

The Wisconsin Healthy Living Network also will be critical to health system reform efforts that dictate fixed payments of services through Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Strong prevention efforts, like the Healthy Living Network, and ACOs will help keep state residents well and will encourage stronger patient responsibility.

To best coordinate this work, the Foundation is working closely with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the state Wisconsin Department of Health Services to design activities within regional public health areas and economic development centers (see map).

The Foundation’s focus on public health and wellness — coupled with the Society’s emphasis on cost variation, quality improvement, health policy and health information — position Wisconsin to remain a leader in the nation’s health care delivery system.