Division of Public Health (DPH)
Public health promotes and protects the health of the people of Wisconsin. Public health also works to ensure the areas where people live, work, and play are safe and free from environmental hazards. Learn more about the role of public health in the lives of everyone in the U.S.
At the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Public Health (DPH), we work with our local and tribal public health partners, and community groups statewide, on a wide variety of programs and services that protect the health of Wisconsin residents. A few of these programs are: communicable and chronic diseases; health promotion; environmental health, occupational health, family and community health; emergency medical services; and injury prevention.
Administrator
Paula Tran
Assistant
Administrators
Jonette Arms
Anna Benton
Public Health Standards Director
Claire Evers
Bureau of Operations Director
Christina Isenring
Learn about bureaus and offices within DPH
Staff from DPH bureaus and offices below are available to speak at conferences, meetings with partners, and other events, virtually or in-person, throughout the state. To request a speaker from DPH, fill out this form, F-02859.
Aging and Disability Resources
Responsible for the development of policy and the management of programs that serve aging adults, persons with physical disabilities, or who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, those in need of adult protective services, and persons who need or receive information about or access to community-based long-term support through an Aging and Disability Resource Center.
Communicable Diseases
Promotes efforts to prevent and control communicable diseases among Wisconsin citizens. Implements surveillance, control, and prevention measures; assists local health departments, health care providers, and citizens to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases; maintains a statewide surveillance system; assists in early identification and intervention of communicable diseases; and informs the public about ways to prevent and control communicable diseases.
Community Health Promotion
Works to ensure the health and well-being of all Wisconsin families and their communities by developing and supporting programs aimed at reducing chronic diseases among Wisconsin citizens and promotes the availability of health services to those with chronic conditions. Assesses health status, risk factors, and preventative health practices of the population; identifies desirable health practices and services; provides ongoing health surveillance; promotes public health education, programming, and initiatives to promote the health of citizens. Develops, implements and administers policies for the health and well-being of women, children, and families. Programs include life cycle health, nutrition education and counseling, supplemental food, and vendor compliance.
Environmental and Occupational Health
Promotes public health through by increasing public awareness of environmental hazards and disease and works to prevent and control exposure to environmental hazards. Inspects sources of radiation emissions. Protects the public from health risks related to occupational activities and prevents occupational illnesses and injuries in the workplace. Provides tracking of occupational diseases and injuries through surveillance programs, provides assistance to employers to help create safer workplaces, and provides training and program assistance on workplace safety and health.
Health Informatics
Collects, maintains and provides vital records for the citizens of the state; integrates and manages major public health related information systems; collects, protects, disseminates and analyzes health care and population-based health data needed to conduct critical state business.
Preparedness and Emergency Health Care
Coordinates the Department's response to natural and human-made disasters, licenses emergency medical service providers and technicians, supervises and approves training, approves and coordinates advanced support services.
Public Health Policy and Practice Alignment
Develops and implements public health strategic planning. Supports a division-wide planning and policy focus on population health that will result in achieving the goals set out in the state health plans. Works closely with the local public health departments throughout Wisconsin. Provides technical assistance and consultation for Community Health Assessments and Community Health Plans.
Regional Offices
Provides contract monitoring, technical assistance, and training related to family and community health, communicable disease prevention and control, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, environmental health, and injury prevention. Technical assistance and consultation is also provided for Community Health Assessments and Community Health Plans as well as local implementation of Public Health Accreditation Board standards and measures to assure effective and efficient public health services.
Division of Public Health
PO Box 2659
Madison, WI 53707-2659
608-266-1251
Send an email
Learn about Public Health
Below are a few areas DPH covers in Wisconsin. Click an area to learn more about it.
Clean Water
Whether you're swimming, drinking, or eating something that came from it, water can have an impact on your health.
Dementia Services
Learn how DHS is working to change the way Wisconsin residents with dementia are cared for. Also, read how DHS is working to increase support for family caregivers.
Disease Prevention and Surveillance
The Division of Public Health tracks and offers health care guidance for treating many diseases and conditions that occur in Wisconsin. We also work with federal and state partners to track disease outbreaks in the state.
Emergency Preparedness
This area of public health focuses on preparing for, and responding to, events that pose a risk to the health of residents. DHS provides information and expertise to our partners to ready Wisconsin for health threats, emergencies, and disasters.
Environmental Health
Learn about the environmental hazards in the air and soil that can impact your health. Lead poisoning has had a profound effect on our children, but it can be prevented. Learn how.
Flood Recovery
Every year, areas of Wisconsin are flooded. Use our interactive mapping tool to help you prepare for, and respond to, flooding.
Immunization
Many diseases today can be prevented by simply getting vaccinated. Get the facts about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines!
Maternal and Child Health
Wisconsin is working to improve the health and well-being of mothers, infants, children, and youth and to reduce the occurrence of illness and infant mortality in Wisconsin.
Opioid Response
Responding to Wisconsin’s opioid crisis is one of DPH's top priorities. Through partnerships with state, tribal, county, and local agencies, we are empowering communities to prevent misuse and expand access to treatment and recovery services.
Oral Health
You cannot be healthy without oral health. Learn about healthy habits everyone can adopt to improve their oral health and prevent disease.
Physical Activity and Nutrition
The Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program provides statewide leadership to decrease obesity, increase physical activity, and improve nutrition.
Services for Older Adults
DPH provides a variety of services, programs, and information to help Wisconsin's older adults live their best life.
Tobacco Prevention
Tobacco is Wisconsin’s leading cause of preventable death and costs the state more than $4.5 billion annually in health care and lost productivity expenses.
Vital Records
DPH is responsible for issuing copies of certificates of birth, death, marriage, and divorce in Wisconsin. Learn about other official records and how to request them.
WIC Program
WIC provides nutrition education, breastfeeding education and support, supplemental nutritious foods, and referrals to other healthy and nutrition services. Learn more and how to enroll.