MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Health groups are puzzled why Wisconsin is passing up federal public health grants.

The Journal Sentinel reports Gov. Scott Walker's health secretary has declined to make or back applications for federal health grants that could have totaled more than $9 million over the next five years.

Agency officials and other health groups say Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith hasn't signed onto grants that, among other things, would have focused on fighting drug and alcohol abuse.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker says he can't understand why Wisconsin would not go after that funding.

Deputy Health Services Secretary Kitty Rhoades says the state continued to apply for grants to improve residents' health. But she says the agency didn't pursue grants that duplicated existing efforts, weren't needed or hadn't received enough planning.

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