MILWAUKEE— In Wisconsin's latest Public Health and Equity Report Card, the Badger State came away with average marks.

"We looked at how long and how well people are living in Wisconsin," Dr. Sheri Johnson, director of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, said. "When we measure that and compare it to how other states are doing, Wisconsin receives an overall grade of 'C.'"

Beyond looking at several health factors tied to Wisconsinites' quality of life and how long they live, researchers also reviewed the state's "health disparities among populations across geographic regions, racial or ethnic groups and levels of educational attainment."

A statement from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute said they were recommending changes to improve the state's overall health, focusing on "five priority areas for policies and practices that can be implemented at state and local levels to advance equity, including ensuring access to quality health care, expanding safe and affordable housing, increasing economic resources for children and families, expanding broadband infrastructure and increasing civic engagement."

"It's a combination of policy and system change, as well as the steps that we can take individually to improve our health," Dr. Johnson added.

Watch the entire interview above.