About GHI

Smiling children making the letter "W" with their fingers

About GHI

What is the Global Health Institute?

The Global Health Institute (GHI) is a stand-alone unit at the University of Wisconsin-Madison dedicated to improving and inspiring collaboration, educating tomorrow’s leaders and promoting research and outreach to improve well-being for all.

Aligned with one of the world’s top-ranked research and academic institutions, GHI serves as a portal. Introducing students to great health disparities and challenges through certificate programs, classes and field experiences. Inspiring and and preparing faculty and students to collaborate and address urgent health needs at home and abroad.

The UW-Madison Global Health Institute is an idea born in Wisconsin—and it is a global manifestation of the Wisconsin Idea.

COLLABORATING: Energizing 21 schools and colleges to work together toward health, equity and sustainability. Engaging communities and joining with colleagues. Pursuing the roots of disease—from lack of food, education and vaccines to the need for medical training, the threat of climate change and more.

DISCOVERING: Addressing health issues with respect and scientific rigor. Looking toward the well-being of future generations. Finding solutions together.

LEARNING: Inspiring students—from high school to working professionals—to interact with the world’s communities and each other. To look outside themselves. To tackle health challenges and become tomorrow’s global health leaders.

Making a Difference

Map of locations where GHI works

~3,000

Global Health Certificate graduates from across campus
learn about the programs »

Child being examined by clinician

~300

attend annual Global Health Symposiums
check out our events »

Woman examining mango at a market

> $2 million

grants to students, faculty and staff
see our grant recipients »

Who Is GHI?

We are physicians and veterinarians. Engineers and economists. Pharmacists, nurses, political scientists, and historians. We are teachers, researchers, and students. Leaders in law, public health, agriculture, ecology, life and social sciences, and many other professions—working side by side to ensure sustainable, equitable global health for all. Today and tomorrow.

Through boundary-spanning collaborations, we are improving access to health care for the most vulnerable populations and identifying emerging threats from viruses, bacteria, and other carriers of disease. We are advancing women’s equality and leadership, and helping cities adapt to 21st-century realities. We are showing that healthy choices can limit climate change and that actively combatting climate change leads to healthier lives for everyone.