scholarly journals Texas Department of State Health Services' Technical Guidance: Mosquito Abatement Post–Weather Incident

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2s) ◽  
pp. 68-73
Author(s):  
Whitney A. Qualls
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Severe Weather ◽  
The State ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Guidance Document ◽  
State Health ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Texas Department

ABSTRACT The Texas Department of State Health Services provides assistance to local health departments following severe weather events and other public health emergencies. Following the reports of large mosquito populations hindering recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey, the Texas State Medical Operations Center created the Vector Control Task Force (VCTF) to organize the mosquito response requested through the State of Texas Assistance Requests. Since Hurricane Harvey, there have been other severe weather events that have activated the VCTF. The purpose of this developed document is to provide guidance to local jurisdictions requesting mosquito abatement assistance from the state level in response to a proliferation of nuisance mosquitoes that hinders governmental response and recovery efforts after a severe weather incident. The document also establishes criteria that the VCTF will evaluate to determine if and how resources should be allocated to programs requesting assistance for mosquito abatement. The guidance document provides background information on mosquito surveillance and control and identifies tasks, roles, and responsibilities for local jurisdictions, state, and federal partners.

Epidemiology Surveillance and Capacity Improvement: A Characterization of Texas, 2017

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kahler W. Stone ◽  
Marilyn Felkner ◽  
Eric Garza ◽  
Maria Perez-Patron ◽  
Cason Schmit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
State Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
State Health Department ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
Funding Programs

Abstract Objectives: In response to increasing caseloads of foodborne illnesses and high consequence infectious disease investigations, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) requested funding from the Texas Legislature in 2013 and 2015 for a new state-funded epidemiologist (SFE) program. Methods: Primary cross-sectional survey data were collected from 32 of 40 local health departments (LHDs) via an online instrument and analyzed to quantify roles, responsibilities, and training of epidemiologists in Texas in 2017 and compared to similar state health department assessments. Results: Sixty-six percent of SFEs had epidemiology-specific training (eg, master’s in public health) compared to 45% in state health department estimates. For LHDs included in this study, the mean number of epidemiologists per 100 000 was 0.73 in medium LHDs and 0.46 in large LHDs. SFE positions make up approximately 40% of the LHD epidemiology workforce of all sizes and 56% of medium-sized LHD epidemiology staff in Texas specifically. Conclusions: Through this program, DSHS increased epidemiology capacity almost twofold from 0.28 to 0.47 epidemiologists per 100 000 people. These findings suggest that capacity funding programs like this improve epidemiology capacity in local jurisdictions and should be considered in other regions to improve general public health preparedness and epidemiology capacity.

Abstract TP232: Disparities in Access to Stroke Research in the State of Texas

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ching Wu ◽  
Christy M Ankrom ◽  
Arvind B Bambhroliya ◽  
Shima Borzorgui ◽  
Sean I Savitz
Keyword(s):  
Census Data ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
The State ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
Stroke Research ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
The Status ◽  
Stroke Center ◽  
Us Census

Objective: Access to care is an important healthcare goal but access to research is also important to patients. We sought to gain an understanding of the status of stroke research among the various stroke designated hospitals in the state and to identify regions and facilities that lack access to stroke research. Methods: Texas Department of State Health Service (TDSHS) designated stroke facilities (DSF) were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire via telephone/email to confirm stroke center status, presence of a dedicated stroke coordinator, use of telestroke services, and participation in stroke research. Stroke discharge data were obtained from TDSHS and stroke volume (by ICD) were estimated for 2013 for all non-DSF. Census data were obtained from the US Census Bureau. Results: In total, 109/136 (80%) TDSHS DSF responded to the survey. Only 32/109 (29%) of the TDSHS DSF are participating in stroke research, mostly in the 4 metropolitan areas (fig 1). We identified 16 non-DSF that have 100-149 stroke discharges, and another 21 non-DSF that have ≥ 150 stroke discharges (fig 1). Over half (53%) of the DSF in the state are utilizing telestroke services. Conclusions: Most clinical stroke research conducted in Texas is in the 4 metropolitan markets. Our findings demonstrate that over 50% or ~14 million Texans reside outside of the 4 markets and therefore may lack access to stroke research. To increase access, we identified several non-DSF in the state with substantial stroke discharges (fig 1). Academic centers and non-DSF partnering through telemedicine and other relationships should be considered to expand throughout the state opportunities for participation in stroke research.

Women's Experiences of the State Health Services in Khayelitsha

Agenda ◽  
1992 ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Di Cooper ◽  
Peliwe Mnguni ◽  
Karen Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
The State ◽  
State Health ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences

scholarly journals Identification of Health Technology Management departments in Mexico’s State health services

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-21
Author(s):  
Roberto Ayala ◽  
Elizabeth Orencio
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Technology Management ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
The State ◽  
State Health ◽  
Management Processes ◽  
Official Information ◽  
Health Technology Management

To advance in the verification for the development of Health Technology Management (HTM) tasks that the State Health Services in Mexico have obligation to perform,  the National Center for Health Technology Excellence (CENETEC) carried out a survey of information to identify the organizational areas in charge for such activities within each of the 32 States, since to date there is no reliable and up-to-date official information about them. It could be identified that not all States have a department with specific designation for HTM, that the vast majority of existing areas are lead by a biomedical engineering professional, and also, in most cases, they respond to infrastructure planning area directives. These findings seek to promote a discussion on the need to standardize across the country, regarding State Health Services, this type of services to improve the processes necessary for the integral management processes of medical equipment.

scholarly journals Mathematical Modeling and Covid-19 Forecast in Texas, USA: a prediction model analysis and the probability of disease outbreak

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Md Nazmul Hassan ◽  
Md. Shahriar Mahmud ◽  
Kaniz Fatema Nipa ◽  
Md. Kamrujjaman
Keyword(s):  
Basic Reproduction Number ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Continuous Time Markov Chain ◽  
State Health ◽  
Department Of State ◽  
Texas Department ◽  
Future Prediction

Abstract Background Response to the unprecedented COVID-19 outbreak needs to be augmented in Texas, USA, where the first 5 cases were reported on March 6, 2020, were rapidly followed by an exponential rise within the next few weeks. This study aimed to determine the ongoing trend and upcoming infection status of COVID-19 in county levels of Texas. Methods Data were extracted from the following sources: published literature, surveillance, unpublished reports, and websites of Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Natality report of Texas and WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard. Four-compartment Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removal (SEIR) mathematical model was used to estimate the current trend and future prediction of basic reproduction number and infection case in Texas. Since the basic reproduction number is not sufficient to predict the outbreak, we applied the Continuous-Time Markov Chain (CTMC) model to calculate the probability of the COVID-19 outbreak. Results The estimated mean basic reproduction number of COVID-19 in Texas is predicted 2.65 by January 31, 2021. Our model indicated that the third wave might occur at the beginning of May of 2021, which will peak at the end of June 2021. This prediction may come true if the current spreading situation/level persists, i.e., no clinically effective vaccine is available,or this vaccination program fails for some reason in this area. Conclusion Our analysis indicates an alarming ongoing and upcoming infection rate of COVID-19 at county levels of Texas, thereby emphasizing promoting more coordinated and disciplined actions by both policymakers and the population to contain its devastating impact.

scholarly journals Primary health care policy and vision for community pharmacy and pharmacists in Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Gastelurrutia ◽  
Maria J. Faus ◽  
Fernando Martinez-Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
The State ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
State Health ◽  
Primary Health

From a political and governance perspective Spain is a decentralized country with 17 states [comunidades autónomas] resulting in a governmental structure similar to a federal state. The various state regional health services organizational and management structures are focused on caring for acute illnesses and are dominated by hospitals and technology. In a review by the Interstate Council, a body for intercommunication and cooperation between the state health care services and national government, there is a move to improve health care through an integrative approach between specialized care and primary care at the state level. Community pharmacy does not appear to have a major role in this review. Primary health care is becoming more important and leading the change to improve the roles of the health care teams. Primary care pharmacists as the rest of public health professionals are employed by the respective states and are considered public servants. Total health care expenditure is 9.0% of its GDP with the public health sector accounting for the 71% and the private sector 29% of this expenditure. Community pharmacy contracts with each state health administration for the supply and dispensing of medicines and a very limited number of services. There are approximately 22,000 community pharmacies and 52,000 community pharmacists for a population of 47 million people. All community pharmacies are privately owned with only pharmacists owning a single pharmacy. Pharmacy chain stores are not legally permitted. Community pharmacy practice is based on dispensing of medications and dealing with consumer minor symptoms and requests for nonprescription medications although extensive philosophical deep debates on the conceptual and practical development of new clinical services have resulted in national consensually agreed classifications, definitions and protocolized services. There are a few remunerated services in Spain and these are funded at state, provincial or municipal level. There are no health services approved or funded at a national level. Although the profession promulgates a patient orientated community pharmacy it appears to be reluctant to advocate for a change in the remuneration model. The profession as a whole should reflect on the role of community pharmacy and advocate for a change to practice that is patient orientated alongside the maintenance of its stance on being a medication supplier. The future strategic position of community pharmacy in Spain as a primary health care partner with government would then be enhanced.

Using Public Health Legal Counsel Effectively: Beliefs, Barriers and Opportunities for Training

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. 61-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Kaufman ◽  
Susan Allan ◽  
Jennifer Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The State ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Legal Counsel ◽  
State Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Legal Staff

Laws, ordinances, regulations, and executive orders create the powers and duties of public health agencies and modify the complex community conditions that affect health. Appropriately trained legal counsel serving as legal advisors on the health officer's team facilitate clear understanding of the legal basis for public health interventions and access to legal tools for carrying them out.Legal counsel serve public health agencies via different organizational arrangements — e.g., internal staff counsel, external counsel from the state attorney general's (AG) office, state health department, county or city, or private counsel under contract, or in combination. As of 2011, most state health departments (63%) employ their own counsel, and 56% use AG counsel, while 17% contract with independent attorneys; most local health departments (66%) work with attorneys and legal staff assigned by local government, by the state health agency (23%), or contract with outside attorneys and legal staff (15%).

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