Two adults and two children outdoors

Office of Health Equity (OHE)

Health is influenced by many factors—not just whether we see a doctor or have health insurance, but also where we work and what we do for work; how much education we’ve had and how much money we make; how safe our homes are and whether we have safe places to play and get together as neighbors.

Our individual choices and decisions, alone, do not determine our health. Rather, health is the product of our histories, policies, systems, and institutions. These have created the conditions we exist in that have caused and continue to perpetuate the health disparities in Wisconsin.

We want to change that.

We work to help address health disparities and promote a culture of inclusion where Wisconsinites from all racial and ethnic identities; ages; nationalities; social and economic status; sexual orientations; gender identities or expressions; geographic locations; religious, political and ideological perspectives; and physical and mental abilities are able to live their best lives.

This means that every Wisconsinite, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum of humanity (race, gender, age, geographic location, culture, ethnicity, religious beliefs, social, and economic status), will have access to the conditions and resources they need to achieve their optimal health and wellbeing.

Last revised March 20, 2025