Department of Health Services

Supervisor Coggs-Jones Applauds Expanded Access to Free COVID-19 Self-Tests

Legislators Okay $31 Million For Opioid Treatment

Joint Finance makes $3 million change in how Evers planned to spend opioid suit settlement money.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

This week, Milwaukee County remains in the Medium COVID-19 Community Level, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Milwaukee Health Department Begins Administration of Updated COVID-19 Booster Vaccine to Target Omicron Subvariant

The Milwaukee Health Department is pleased to begin administration of the updated single-dose COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine on Monday, September 12

DHS Urges New Booster Shots

New bivalent vaccines provide wider immunity to virus variants.

DHS Encourages Wisconsinites to Make a Plan to Get Boosted Against COVID-19 this Fall

People 12 and older are now eligible for updated COVID-19 boosters that target the original virus and newest Omicron subvariants

Wisconsin DOJ, 33 States Reach $438.5 Million Agreement with JUUL Labs

Wisconsin’s allocated share of the agreement would be more than $14.4 million.

DHS Expands Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Criteria for Wisconsinites

Early monkeypox data show emerging health disparities

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s COVID-19 Bivalent Booster Vaccine Recommendations

“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation that eligible Wisconsinites will soon have additional protection against COVID-19 with the approval of COVID-19 bivalent boosters."

Legislators Still Sitting on Opioid Funding

Democrats, health officials says lives could be lost if settlement funds not used to fight drug epidemic.

State’s FoodShare Program Has Decade-Old Barriers

Difficult application process, insufficient benefits, other problems limit its impact.

Nonprofit Helps Homes Get Air Conditioned

36,500 Milwaukee homes lacked AC in 2019, mostly in low-income neighborhoods.

Updated Guide to Free and Affordable Meals

Including food pantries, pay what you can, and free or low-cost food delivery.

A Map of County’s Overdose Deaths

78% of deaths last year involved fentanyl. But use of new drug, Xylazine, rising.

State’s Suicide Hotline Gets 6k Calls in First Month

Department of Health Services launched suicide and crisis line July 16.

Milwaukee County Experiencing Record Overdose Deaths

2022 outpacing 2021, which saw a record number of overdose deaths.

Overdose Deaths From Fentanyl Laced Drugs Increasing

The number of fentanyl overdose deaths grew 97% from 2019 to 2021.

State’s Democrats Warn More Federal Help Needed to Fight Monkeypox

Letter from Baldwin, others requests more vaccines and health care.

Gov. Evers, AG Kaul Slam Republicans for Again Delaying Funds to Combat Opioid Epidemic

Anonymous GOP objection delays $6 million in settlement funds from pharmaceutical manufacturer and distributors for opioid and substance misuse prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programming

Wisconsin Communities Act to Prevent Lead Poisoning

DHS experts to tour properties that are part of the Lead-Safe Homes Program and child care centers testing for lead in drinking water

DHS Urges COVID-19 Vaccination for a Healthy School Year

DHS Accepting Applications for Home and Community-Based Services Grants

American Rescue Plan Act funds to help improve services for people in Wisconsin's long-term care programs

Waukesha County Declares Fentanyl a ‘Health Crisis’

92 people died of overdoses in Waukesha County last year.

Statewide Republican Candidates

Hotly-contested race for gubernatorial nomination is just the tip of the iceberg.

DNR Wants Water Utilities Notifying Customers of PFAS

DNR urges notice after EPA releases much stronger PFAS standards.

Supervisor Burgelis Seeks to Increase Monkeypox Awareness and Vaccine Distribution

GOP Candidates For Governor Oppose Abortions For Child Sex Assault Victims

No exceptions means child rape or incest victims can’t get an abortion in Wisconsin.

State DNR Adds New PFAS Rules

Regulating 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, surface water and fire fighting foam.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $8 Million Being Distributed to Help Support, Stabilize EMS Providers Across the State

EMS providers to receive an additional nearly $25,000 to support purchasing new emergency service vehicles, patient transport equipment, and diagnostic medical equipment

DHS Submits Updated Proposal for Opioid Settlement Funds to the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance

Plan includes recommendations on how the state should use $31 million awarded from agreement with pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors

Salmonella Infections Linked to Shelled Peas Sold at Wisconsin Farmers Markets and Farm Stands

Six people have become ill; three have been hospitalized

Public Awareness Campaign Seeks to Boost COVID-19 Vaccinations

Marketing campaign aims at increasing vaccinations among children and seniors.

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce $2.5 Million in Telehealth Grants for Behavioral Health Providers

Neighborhood access stations to help remove barriers to care

Nearly Half of State Has High COVID-19 Level

Masking recommended in 16 counties with 43% of population, including Milwaukee and Dane.

Program Helps Spanish Speaking Families With Memory Loss

United Community Center offers caregiver training to families of Alzheimer's, dementia patients.

State Job Growth Slowed in Early Summer

Between May and June job growth was slower than expected.

Governor Evers, DHS Announce Launch of WisCaregiver Careers Program Expansion

Expanded program will train more certified nursing aides to support Wisconsin’s nursing homes

Nursing Homes Struggle to Find Staff

New report finds state’s economy grew swiftly since pandemic, with some sectors trailing.

Senator Baldwin’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Hotline Launches Nationwide

Baldwin helped deliver funding for 988 line through omnibus legislation and bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Gov. Evers, DHS Announce Wisconsin is Ready to Transition to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Free and confidential behavioral healthcare and support available 24/7

DHS Provides Updates During National Infant Formula Shortage

Parents have more options to feed their babies

First Case of Monkeypox Identified in City of Milwaukee Resident

Federal Rules and Market Dominance Drove WI’s Baby Formula Shortage

Wisconsin contracts only with Abbott Nutrition, whose recall and plant shutdown jolted the market.

Here’s What To Know About COVID-19 Vaccines for Young Children

Public health officials, pediatricians encourage vaccinations for children six months old and up.

Wisconsin Has First Case of Monkeypox

400 cases in U.S. so far, but state health officials say risk to public remains low.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services Identifies the First Case of Monkeypox in a Wisconsin Resident

Risk to the general public remains low

State Supreme Court Says Natural Resources Board Member Can Stay

Legislature won't okay Evers appointee to replace Fred Prehn so Prehn won’t step down.

ReadyWisconsin encourages safe celebrations this Independence Day weekend

Wisconsin SeniorCare Program to Cover Vaccines Provided at Pharmacies

New benefit will increase senior access to vaccines

Gov. Evers Announces State Building Commission Approves $71 Million Projects Across Wisconsin

Projects include funding for the design of a new Wisconsin Historical Society Museum, new UW Madison Engineering Building, expansion of critical health care resources, and building improvements to improve safety, reduce energy usage and carbon emissions

State Begins Vaccines For Youngest People

Children aged 6 months to 5 now eligible, as COVID-19 continues to spread across state.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Everyone Age 6 Months and Older

Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized for children 6 months through 5 years

Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake’s Statement on CDC’s COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Recommendations and Expansion to Children Under Age 5

Wisconsin gets first ever standards for PFAS as EPA warns the “forever chemicals” pose far greater risk than once thought

Coggs Building Could Be Razed

New analysis finds razing and then constructing new building the most feasible redevelopment option.

Abortions Can Save Mothers’ Lives

Abortions can be medically necessary when pregnancies cause life-threatening complications.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

High Court Okays Release of COVID-19 Workplace Data

Health officials can identify employers having outbreaks, WI Supreme Court rules.

‘Tangled Series’ of Abortion Laws Since 1849

Wisconsin has had many laws passed on abortion which could cause confusion if Roe overturned.

Women of Color Would Be Most Impacted by Roe Reversal

Planned Parenthood data shows majority of abortions in Milwaukee County went to women of color.

Gov. Evers Announces $22 Million Investment to Expand Programs, Fund Emergency Response Initiatives

Investments will support fire station construction and expansion projects, testing sites and EMS projects

DHS Ditching Coggs Center For Northwest Side

Plus: A recap of the week's real estate news

Rep. Deb Andraca Ran To Change Gun Laws

Recent mass shootings a reminder that gun control laws have gone nowhere in Wisconsin.

DHS Updates COVID-19 Illness After Vaccination Page to Include Data by Booster Dose Status

Data continue to show staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines protects against severe illness and death due to COVID-19

Gov. Evers Signs Order Prohibiting Infant Formula Price Gouging Amid Nationwide Shortage

Governor declares a period of abnormal economic disruption to help protect parents against predatory pricing

DNR Planning New E. Coli Regulations

State business lobby concerned DNR will consider stricter PFAS standards too.

Pandemic Benefits for Kids Under 6 Approved

Federal Pre-6 Pandemic program gives more FoodShare funding to 90,500 children in state.

WI Health Department Urges Booster Shots for Ages 5 to 11

Following guidance of CDC, which is expanding recommendations for 2nd booster shot.

DHS Recommends COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses to Everyone 5 and Older

Children ages 5-11 now eligible for a booster dose

What You Need to Know About Infant Formula Shortage

What’s causing shortage, where to find supplies, how to keep your family safe.

Gwen Moore Bill Adds Doulas, Midwives to Medicaid

Mamas First Act would require state Medicaid programs to cover doula, midwife services.

DHS Provides Tips for Families During National Infant Formula Shortage

State Program Plans to Recruit, Train 3,000 New CNAs

Long-term care facilities face a shortage of workers. New nursing assistants would recieve on the job training.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Up 66% in May

Racine and Kenosha among 7 counties with highest rates, residents urged to wear masks at indoor events.

DNR Awarded $2 Million To Assess Brownfields

DHS Announces the Moving Forward Together Grant Program to Support Health Equity Efforts in COVID-19 Vaccinations

Wisconsin Joins National Effort to Grow and Retain Health Care Workforce

Multiple states collaborate to address worker shortages

State Has About 6,400 Abortions Per Year

State’s rate per live births, just half that of the nation, may reflect restrictive laws.

Gov. Evers, Evers Administration Cabinet Take ‘Cabinet on the Road’ to Western Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers, together with members of his cabinet, hosted ‘Cabinet on the Road’ events in Osseo, Altoona, Menomonie, and Eau Claire.

COVID-19 Antibody Study Seeks Volunteers of Color

Study seeks to assess levels of immunity and extent of COVID-19 infection in local communities.

Are COVID-19 Vaccines Still Free? Yes

Questions and answers on vaccines, including where to get them.

iCare adds Julie Strenn to Board of Directors

Life-Saving COVID-19 Treatments Available Throughout Wisconsin

Over 480 pharmacies can fill oral COVID-19 antiviral prescriptions across the state

Other Vaccinations For Kids Have Declined

Since pandemic state falling behind in vaccinations for measles, mumps, diphtheria, etc.

State’s COVID-19 Cases Tripled in Last Month

Hospitalizations still low but numbers ‘concerning,’ and only 61% in state fully vaccinated.

Wisconsin Receives USDA Approval to Provide Food Benefits in July for Children Under Six Not Enrolled in School

Marinette PFAS Cleanup Could Begin This Summer

PFAS polluters Johnson Controls and Tyco building system to clean up forever chemicals.

COVID-19 Rising Again in State

Numbers still “relatively low,” but percentage of positive tests doubled in last three weeks.

Evers Vetoes Another 22 GOP Bills

On MPS, voucher schools and parental bill of rights. That makes 126 vetoes this session.

City of Milwaukee Weekly COVID-19 Update

DHS Makes Changes to COVID-19 Data Webpages

Updates make data easier to find, align with CDC Community Levels as a tool to keep you safe and healthy

PCB Contamination Found At Rochester Park In Sheboygan Falls

Judge Rules DNR Can’t Regulate PFAS

State agency lacks authority, Waukesha judge rules. Environmental advocates plan appeal.

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

Virtual Listening Sessions Taking Place April 20

Evers Vetoes 43 GOP Proposals

Killing Republican bills on guns, election changes, COVID-19, but does sign 35 other bills.

Gov. Evers Takes Action on 78 Bills

Wisconsin Poultry Shows, Exhibitions Suspended Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Proposal to Extend Medicaid Coverage for Postpartum Individuals Open for Public Comment

Federal government approval would extend coverage from 60 to 90 days

Report Details Opioid Addiction Solutions

After listening sessions, WI Department of Health Services recommends expanded treatment and attention to root causes.

Gov. Evers and DHS Recognize State Workers and Interagency Cooperation for PPE Distribution in Wisconsin

Launch of coordinated effort delivered more than 80 million pieces of PPE statewide, continues as part of ongoing preparedness and response planning