Background and Mission of the Institute

The Institute was established in 1984 and has evolved under various auspices, adopting its current name and structure as the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) in May of 2005. We serve our mission in pursuit of the Wisconsin Idea – where boundaries of the University extend to the boundaries of the state, and beyond.

The mission of the Institute is to translate public health and health policy research for policy and practice.

We strive to:

• Address a broad range of real world problems of topical importance to government, business, providers and the public;
• Promote partnerships of inquiry between researchers and users of research, breaking down barriers between the academic community and public and private sector policy makers;
• Advance the development of interdisciplinary research, along the spectrum from public health to health care, at the University of Wisconsin and other academic settings in Wisconsin;
• Provide outreach and continuing education for practitioners and opportunities for applied learning for public health, medical, graduate, and other health professions students;
• Contribute to public health and health care practice and policy decision that improve Wisconsin’s population health; and
• Maintain the highest level of relevance, rigor and objectivity.

The Institute’s tag line “translating research for policy and practice” represents an exchange relationship. Research results from our academic program are communicated to practitioners – their intended audience. At the same time, the experience, expertise and the needs of public health, policy making, and clinical practitioners inform our research program.

The Institute serves as the bridge to public health and health care practice in the state through an active community advisory board, issue briefs and reports, and periodic conferences and educational programs. The Institute also serves as a focal point for public health and health policy within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health bringing together faculty, staff, and students interested in applying their skills and experience to answer real world questions.

Major Programs and Products

• Evaluation Research
  The Evaluation Research group works in partnership with community, tribal and governmental organizations collaborating through the development, implementation and evaluation stages of their programs.
• Health Policy
  The Health Policy group connects with Wisconsin's leading public and private sector policy makers in the health services arena. Programs focus on access, cost, financing, quality and outcomes.
• Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health
  The MATCH group focuses on assessing population health and working with communities to help them a) identify opportunities for improving community health and b) find and implement evidence-based programs and policies to address these issues.

Cross-Cutting Themes

• Service Learning for Students:
  Serves as a population health laboratory for learning, where students apply their skills to real world issues.
• Community Partnerships:
  Through an active community advisory board, the Institute fosters strong partnerships between the University of Wisconsin and population health practitioners and policy makers.
• Evidence-Based Practice:
  The Institute researchers evaluate and disseminate evidence-based policy and practices.
• American Indian Tribal-Academic Partnership:
  Builds and maintains research and service initiatives with Wisconsin’s American Indian communities and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council.