July 2025
Transforming Migraine Care: Wisconsin Health Systems Unite for Better Outcomes
Transforming Migraine Care: Wisconsin Health Systems Unite for Better Outcomes
We have launched a multi-year effort to elevate migraine care across Wisconsin to improve lives, reduce system strain, and help employers and providers address this hidden burden.
Migraine is one of the world’s leading causes of disability, affecting over 40 million Americans and 12% of the population nationwide — yet it’s often overlooked in primary care.
The ripple effects are enormous:
- $19 billion annually in U.S. employer absenteeism costs.
- Increased emergency department use, imaging, and medication costs.
Analysis of our WCHQ data shows that migraine disproportionately impacts working-age adults. Nearly 61% of migraine patients are between 30 and 59 years old, with another 17% between 18 and 29 — meaning three out of four migraine patients are in their prime working years.
From a payer perspective, nearly 70% have commercial insurance, which further reinforces that these individuals are active in the workforce. This has implications not just for healthcare costs, but also for workplace productivity, absenteeism, and quality of life.

Visit our website for more information on WCHQ insights on migraine care data.
We have opportunities for our health systems to engage in this work, if you are interested, contact Jen Koberstein at jkoberstein@wchq.org.
New Opportunity: Boost Adult Respiratory Immunization Rates This Season
WCHQ is launching a new project to support health systems in increasing adult immunization rates for COVID-19, flu, and RSV ahead of the upcoming respiratory illness season.
Respiratory viruses remain a significant public health challenge, contributing to avoidable hospitalizations, increased healthcare costs, and staff burden. By identifying vaccination gaps and piloting targeted interventions, this initiative will reduce disease burden and create scalable, sustainable improvements in immunization practices.
Participating systems will receive customized data support from WCHQ and implement two evidence-based interventions of their choice.
The timeline is tight, and respiratory immunization season is approaching fast.
If your team is interested, contact Jen Koberstein at jkoberstein@wchq.org to learn more.
WCHQ Annual Quality Awards Nominations Are Now Open!
Health Systems across Wisconsin are making meaningful improvements and championing change to improve the health outcomes for patients. To celebrate our members and the incredible work they do, nominations for our 2025 Annual Quality Awards are now open!
Nominate a Health System or Organization for the 2025 WCHQ awards here. The submission deadline is October 1, 2025.
The award ceremony takes place at WCHQ’s annual Quality Impact Assembly on November 14, 2025.
.jpg)
Join us on November 14: Wisconsin Healthcare Quality Impact Assembly
We invite healthcare professionals, leaders, and innovators to the Wisconsin Healthcare Quality Impact Assembly on November 14, to our premier event focused on driving quality improvement across our region.
Why you should attend
- Discover the latest strategies in cancer prevention, hypertension control, and equity-driven kidney function testing from respected experts in the field.
- Connect with colleagues, leaders, and innovators from across the healthcare spectrum during dedicated networking breaks and lunch sessions.
- Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for improving quality, equity, and value in their organizations.
Key Learning Objectives
- Understand how to harness measurements and data to showcase quality improvement work at your organization, with practical examples shared by WCHQ leaders and clinical experts.
- Gain insight into setting quality priorities within your organization using the quadruple aim framework—addressing population health, cost savings, patient experience, and provider experience, with an emphasis on equity and value as guiding principles.
- Learn how to apply data-driven approaches that measure what matters most in your specific community, ensuring that your quality initiatives are both meaningful and impactful.
- Explore the vital role WCHQ plays in uniting health systems and partners to foster collective action and raise the standard of care across Wisconsin.
What You’ll Take Away
- Inspiration from Success Stories: Hear how organizations across Wisconsin are making measurable improvements in cancer screening rates, vaccination, and chronic disease management.
- Practical Tools and Ideas: Sessions are designed to equip you with tools and frameworks that you can implement immediately, from data dashboards to community engagement tactics.
- Expanded Professional Network: Enjoy the opportunity to engage with peers and experts, building relationships that last well beyond the assembly.
Register today. Together, we can learn, collaborate, and ignite meaningful improvements across our state.
Upcoming Events
- Saturday, August 9, 2025 - Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin Summer Meeting
- Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - Taking Our Shot at Zoster Prevention
- Friday, November 14, 2025 - Wisconsin Healthcare Quality Impact Assembly
Thank You to Our WCHQ Partners for Their Support of Our Work