UT Health Northeast Announces Population Health Survey

TYLER – A new initiative is being launched by UT Health Northeast and numerous partners to address public health in Northeast Texas and the rest of the state. According to a news release, Northeast Texas has some of the highest rates of health problems in the state, including lung and colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary diseases, and diabetes. UT Health Northeast officials say because the 28 counties in Northeast Texas have more preventable sickness and deaths than the rest of Texas, a new public survey has been developed to help identify what can be done to improve population health. It’s part of a broader effort, the University of Texas Population Health Strategic Plan.

“If the 28 counties which make up our region were a state, they would rank among the lowest in poor health,” said Paul McGaha, DO, deputy director of UT Health Northeast’s Center for Rural Community Health. The counties include Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.

According to the news release, the East Texas Community Health Survey is a first step in what will be an ongoing effort by the center to identify and propose solutions for improving health outcomes. The survey is available online and provides citizens an avenue for feedback regarding what they see as barriers to being healthier.

“It is important to understand the needs, challenges and roadblocks that contribute to our current poor health status. Excellent medical care is only part of the solution for improved health,” said Dr. McGaha in the news release. “We must also consider the factors and conditions that affect the health of populations over a lifetime. These include individual behaviors, social influences, and the physical environment.”

The survey is anonymous and takes only a few minutes to complete. No personal identifying information will be collected, and the results will be grouped by county and region to better identify potential solutions to these health problems, according to the release. A printed copy with pre-paid return postage can also be requested by phone or email. Dr. McGaha said that once collected, the survey data would be shared with many different groups to support local planning and community collaborations.

Visit http://uthsct.east-texas-community-health-survey.sgizmo.com/s3/ to complete the survey, which will be available through mid-September. To receive a copy by mail, send a request to survey@uthct.edu or call 903-877-8623. Dr. McGaha will discuss the survey in depth on the Sunday, August 14, edition of “In Focus” on KTBB.