Project Summary:
Medication safety is a critical and often overlooked public health and health equity issue for Wisconsin’s older adult population. Older adults are 2-3 times more likely to experience adverse drug events, leading to increased falls, hospitalizations, loss of independence, and higher healthcare costs. As the number of Wisconsinites aged 60 and older is projected to exceed 1.5 million by 2030, the need for effective strategies to promote safe medication use and communication with healthcare providers has become urgent. Risks are particularly high among rural and low-income populations who face barriers to care, medication review services, and health literacy—factors that contribute to inequities in medication safety and chronic disease outcomes.
To address this, the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA), in partnership with the Schools of Pharmacy from both the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Medical College of Wisconsin, will expand Med Wise Rx—a proven, community-based program that improves older adults’ communication skills and confidence to manage medications safely. Building on the program's success, this project will develop a statewide training and dissemination infrastructure to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery of MedWiseRx through community and health-serving organizations.
The project will train and support facilitators, pilot the program in diverse Wisconsin communities, and identify adaptations that enhance access and relevance for underserved populations. Evaluation will assess feasibility, effectiveness, and sustainability to guide statewide implementation. By embedding Med Wise Rx within WIHA’s network of over provider organizations, this initiative will reduce medication-related harm, prevent falls and hospitalizations, and improve health equity by ensuring that all older adults—regardless of location or income—have the knowledge and support to manage medications safely and live healthier, more independent lives.
Community Partner: University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Pharmacy