Healthy Wisconsin

Established in 1994 by founding partners that included the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital and the Wisconsin state government, the Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin operates with one single goal in mind, to “improve the health and well –being of children by addressing key health issues through collaborative efforts with diverse organizations, communities and individuals.”  In short, the Children’s Health Alliance exists for the sole purpose of bringing people together in the name of our youth, helping those who can’t help themselves and looking out for the best interests of kids across the state.

The Alliance actually leads and manages other organizations you may have heard of that make their impact in communities throughout Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition, the Childhood Injury Prevention Network and the Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition all fall under the umbrella of the Children’s Health Alliance, steered by its guiding arm.  The Wisconsin Asthma Coalition serves to prepare and make public state wide plans that improve the quality of life for asthma patients, whether its asthma education, prevention, treatment or other services, while easing the burden of the condition on asthmatics and their families. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a resident to Wisconsin or preparing for a move to the area, you can find comfort in knowing that there are several highly-respected and esteemed medical centers throughout the state.  State of the art treatment and research have ranked these hospitals among the best in the nation.

Located in Madison, The University of Wisconsin is home to numerous clinics and hospitals, providing care for the surrounding communities.  The hospital consistently ranks well in US News medical evaluations.  This system was ranked in the top 50 in the nation for Cancer; ear, nose and throat; Geriatrics; Orthopedics; Pulmonology; Urology; and Kidney Disorders.

As part of the Aurora Health Care system, which includes 13 hospitals, West Allis Memorial Hospital has ranked very well on a national scale of community hospitals.  This particular center is best-known for the Aurora Women’s Pavilion.  This center takes a unique approach to all stages of women’s health care. Read the rest of this entry »

t’s high time for anti-smoking activists in America’s Dairyland to light up a victory cig– err, uh lamp… as a biannual survey conducted by Wisconsin Department of Health Services showed smoking rates among the state’s youth have decreased dramatically relative to two years ago.  To be exact, smoking rates have fallen 15% among high school students surveyed, with a 9% drop in middle school student smokers as well.  Overall, the survey estimates 17.7% of high schools in the state smoke cigarettes, down from just over 20% in the previous tally.  Middle school smoking is not nearly as wide-spread of an issue, occurring among only 3.9% of students, compared to 4.3% in 2008.  Still, it is important to remind junior high kids about the pitfalls of cigarettes as grades 6 through 8 represent particularly impressionable times in a young person’s development. Read the rest of this entry »

Being overweight is one of the biggest contributors to health problems.  High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease are just a few of the effects of having too many extra pounds.  You don’t have to sign up for one of the crazy, fad, diets you see on TV, just spend a little time outdoors getting in some exercise.  Wisconsin is a beautiful state with plenty of scenic attractions, making getting in shape an enjoyable challenge.

Biking is a great way to get around, and you can burn a few calories while you’re at it.  The Ahnapee State Trail is a popular destination for biking, horseback riding, and ATV users.  Covering 30 miles, this trail connects Casco, Algoma and Sturgeon Bay along what used to be the path of the railways.  The Capital City State Trail gives bikers a link through the city of Madison.  Still under construction, when it is completed, the trail will connect the Military Ridge State Trail and the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. Read the rest of this entry »

Let’s face it, as much as Wisconsin natives take pride in their cheesehead heritage, large blocks of delectably orange Wisconsin cheese may be delicious, but consuming massive quantities of the state’s most prized export won’t get you on the good side of most medical professionals.  It is important not to overindulge your palette, in addition to incorporating a few healthy meals into your daily eating routine.  Here are a few select restaurants that not only provide great tasting food but look after your well-being as well.

Supreme Pizza (912 E Johnson St., Madison, WI) – Yes, this is in fact a pizza place and yes this is still the list of healthy eating options within the Dairyland of America.  Plenty of fresh vegetables, alongside some entirely vegan pizza dishes, offer plenty of nutrition whatever your mean inclination may be.  Best of all, Supreme’s whole wheat crust is far from the cardboard alternative a lot of pizza joints try to pass off.  It may even be better than original white crust, which yes is of course still available from narrow-minded wheat skeptics. Read the rest of this entry »