Past HMNT Resources
2023
September
Primary Care and Suicide Prevention [sm1.multibriefs.com]
THI
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. On average, one person dies by suicide every two hours in Texas (CDC, 2023). Join us for a pre-summit session at the Texas Primary Care Consortium to learn how you can make a difference in the AS+K? About Suicide to Save a Life training. Read More
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HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
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Medical Xpress
A new multisite study led by Indiana University School of Medicine has found increasing pediatric readiness in emergency departments reduces but does not eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in children and adolescents with acute medical emergencies. Read More
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LOCAL
Texas A&M University plans Suicide Awareness Month activities to support student mental health
Texas A&M Health Vital Record
Texas A&M University is recognizing National Suicide Prevention Awareness month with a series of activities during September. A kickoff event, hosted by Texas A&M University Health Services — Suicide Awareness & Prevention Program, took place Sept. 6 at Rudder Plaza. Read More
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TEXAS
HIPAA and telemedicine in Texas: Are audio-only telemedicine services allowed?
JD Supra
In June 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidance on the use of remote communication technologies to deliver audio-only telemedicine in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. However, do not let this new guidance mislead you into thinking that audio-only telemedicine is legal across the board. Read More
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A new Texas law makes better treatment options possible for cancer patients
KERA-FM
A new state law this month made Texas the 11th state to require health insurance companies to pay for biomarker testing. Doing so will give cancer patients access to more targeted and effective therapies in precision medicine. Read More
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NATIONAL AND MORE
Data suggest worse survival in Black low-risk endometrial cancer population
Cancer Network
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Better data, leadership needed for global health equity in heart failure
AJMC
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Weill Cornell Medicine
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What promise does personalized nutrition hold for healthier aging?
Nutritional Outlook
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International Journal of Dental Hygiene
​
Empowering women's health: Exploring the latest innovations in wearable technology
News Medical
2023
September
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
Disparities found in who dwells behind US levees
Phys.org
In the U.S., tens of millions of people live behind levees, but historically disadvantaged groups are more likely to live behind subpar levees and have fewer resources to maintain critical levee infrastructure, a new study reveals. The study is the first to quantify the national disparity of disadvantaged communities living in levee-protected areas, which puts people at increased risk of flooding and other issues. Read More
LOCAL
Students gain global insight into emergency preparedness
Texas A&M Vital Record
An innovative five-week study abroad program organized by the Texas A&M University School of Public Health is helping students learn more about efficient emergency preparedness efforts in Europe. This study abroad, which is among the first of its kind globally on this topic, is coordinated by Angela Clendenin, Ph.D., an instructional associate professor in epidemiology and biostatistics. Read More
TEXAS
COVID-19 cases on the rise in Texas
CBS News
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise once again in Texas. Health officials say COVID-19 hospitalizations are up 70% in the last month. Experts say this uptick shouldn't make people panic, but to remain vigilant. Read More
Measles health alert issued in Texas
Precision Vaccinations
Over the past two years, measles outbreaks have significantly increased in various countries, but not the U.S. However, the Texas Department of State Health Services recently published a Health Alert regarding two measles cases. Read More
HHSC offers suicide prevention awareness resources
Texas Health and Human Services
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is dedicated to reducing the stigma of suicide by increasing awareness about the warning signs and highlighting resources for prevention and treatment. The HHSC Office of Mental Health Coordination is offering a free five-part webinar series addressing suicide prevention-related topics open to all. Read More
NATIONAL AND MORE
Rural hospitals focus on social determinants of health, transportation
PatientEngagementHIT
HHS moves to pause Medicaid coverage terminations in Texas
Bloomberg Law
To improve outcomes under CMS' 'making care primary', focus on registered nurses
Health Affairs
Pharmacy closures impacting medically underserved communities
University of Houston
More high-cost health care users live in lower socioeconomic status neighborhoods, study shows
Texas A&M Vital Record
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
2023
September
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
Disparities in SDOH highlight need for social intervention in the heart failure space
AJMC
Social determinants of health are unequally distributed among ambulatory individuals who are living with heart failure when their income level and racial background are considered, according to a new analysis of 1999-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data by a team from UT Southwestern Medical Center. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
LOCAL
Texas A&M Health Vital Record
The potentially far-reaching consequences of the East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment that occurred on Feb. 3, 2023, highlight an important component of public health's work — identifying and analyzing contaminants from an environmentally hazardous area. Read More
TEXAS
For deaf children in Texas foster care, limited accessibility compounds trauma
KERA-FM
In early 2019, a small group of foster parents clustered in the governor's office, hoping months of working with the state would improve things for children like theirs: deaf or hard of hearing and traumatized by a system that struggled to care for them. In prior meetings held between these foster parents, the governor's office and state agencies, leaders from Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services waffled on their methods of tracking deaf children in foster care and the number currently in the system. Read More
NATIONAL AND MORE
Opioid overdose antidote Narcan will be widely available over the counter next week
NBC News
Why households could experience short-term food insecurity when the weather is hot
ABC News
HHS opens digital health infrastructure security RFP [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Healthcare IT News
AI tool can identify social determinants of health in dementia patients
News Medical
Aging with a healthy brain: How lifestyle changes could help prevent up to 40% of dementia cases
The Conversation
Travel time for health care has increased for both rural and urban Americans
Texas A&M Health Vital Record
News Medical
2023
August
THI
The primary care system plays a crucial role in the overall health and well-being of communities, and legislative changes contribute to the evolving health care environment. Join Texas Primary Care Consortium for a webinar with an insightful deep dive into the outcomes of the previous legislative session and examine how the decisions made have shaped the landscape of primary care. Attendees will gain the insight to make informed decisions, implement necessary changes, and contribute to the advancement of high-quality primary care services in their communities.
Click here to learn more and register [sm1.multibriefs.com]
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
The renaissance of behavioral health: 988 and crisis care [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Psychiatric Times
The one-year anniversary of the national transition to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline marks a historic moment in crisis care — a crucial piece of the overall renaissance of behavioral health, according to Colin LeClair, the CEO of Connections Health Solutions. Psychiatric Times sat down with LeClair to learn more about his thoughts on equal access to care and the importance of collaboration in behavioral health crisis care. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
LOCAL
Dallas County has the highest rate of uninsured people in North Texas: Why? [sm1.multibriefs.com]
KERA-FM
Dallas County has the highest uninsured rate among large counties in Texas, as well as major counties in the DFW region. More than one in five people in the county lack insurance to help cover medical costs. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
New virtual clinic aids trauma, violence survivors [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas A&M Today
A clinic developed by the Texas A&M Health Center of Excellence in Forensic Nursing will help survivors of trauma and violence receive important follow-up care virtually. The Texas A&M Assessment and Care for Trauma Survivors Clinic connects patients with advanced practice registered nurses using telemedicine technology. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
TEXAS
HHSC offers webinar on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas Health and Human Services
During National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month in September, the HHSC Office of Disability Prevention for Children is offering a free webinar on prevention and resources open to the public. "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Impacts, Prevention and Support Strategies" will be offered in partnership with the Texas FASD Network from 10–11:30 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 7. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
NATIONAL AND MORE
Exploring tools for virtual behavioral health care [sm1.multibriefs.com]
mHealthIntelligence
Have social determinants of health affected COVID-19 vaccine uptake? [sm1.multibriefs.com]
News Medical
SDOH, structural barriers quell maternity outcomes for home-based care [sm1.multibriefs.com]
PatientEngagementHIT
Using technology to improve workplace safety training [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Occupational Health & Safety
New CMS rule addresses providing care to underserved communities [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Health Care Innovation
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
2023
August
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
AP News
Border Patrol does not have protocols for assessing medical needs of children with preexisting conditions, according to an independent report made public on the death of an 8-year-old girl from Panama who was in federal custody. The girl's death was "a preventable tragedy that resulted from" failures in "medical and custodial systems for children" within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that includes the Border Patrol, the report found. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
LOCAL
'Lack of visibility' makes San Antonio's COVID-19 surge difficult to measure [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas Public Radio
COVID-19 cases are surging again in Bexar County and nationwide as a new Omicron subvariant takes hold. The EG.5 variant, also known as Eris, is likely a key driver behind a 270% increase in San Antonio COVID-19 cases since early July. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
UT Health San Antonio among new Comprehensive Care Centers [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Parkinson's News Today
The Parkinson's Foundation has designated the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio a Comprehensive Care Center, making it the first such center in Texas and expanding the organization's Global Care Network. The designation heightens access to specialized multidisciplinary care for people with Parkinson's disease, which is expected to affect 1.2 million U.S. residents by 2030. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
TEXAS
The New York Times
Since the end of a pandemic-era policy that barred states from removing people from Medicaid, Texas has dropped over half a million people from the program, more than any other state. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
US study ranks Texas as 7th worst state for health care [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Spectrum News 1
A new U.S. study from WalletHub compared the health care systems of 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas didn't fare well in the ranking. The Lone Star State was the seventh worst. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
KERA-FM
Pregnant people in almost half of the counties in Texas don't have adequate access to health care. That's according to a new report by the March of Dimes, which measures maternity care in the U.S. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
NATIONAL AND MORE
Change in access to fast food linked to population health [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Medical Xpress
83% of acute care hospitals engage in some SDOH data collection [sm1.multibriefs.com]
EHR Intelligence
Investments are needed to implement value-based care in pediatrics [sm1.multibriefs.com]
RevCycleIntelligence
Study uncovers barriers to mammography screening among Black women [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Imaging Technology News
Virtual health care has green benefits [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Wall Street Journal
Study defines disparities in memory care [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Medical Xpress
2023
August
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
Rural health care disparities are greatest in US: Study [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Medscape
There are more health care disparities between rural and urban residents of the U.S. than between rural and urban residents of 10 other developed countries, according to a new study published July 7 in JAMA Network Open. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
LOCAL
Exoskeleton helps DHR Health earn Texas' only 'Center of Excellence' nod [sm1.multibriefs.com]
MyRGV.com
DHR Health celebrated as it became the only healthcare facility in Texas, and fifth in the nation, to be named a "Center of Excellence" for its wearable and robotic exoskeleton. The maker, Ekso Bionics, recognized DHR Health for the exoskeleton that acts as rehabilitation technology — the EksoNR, a robotic exoskeleton patients who've suffered from a stroke, a brain or spinal cord injury, or multiple sclerosis can wear to help in their physical rehab. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
TEXAS
Malaria in Texas: What you need to know [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas A&M Today
Through one of our nation's greatest public health successes in history, malaria was eliminated from the U.S. by about 1950. There are still malaria cases in the U.S. every year, but these are contracted in places where malaria normally occurs and then are brought into the U.S. through travel. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
HHSC highlights World Day Against Trafficking in Persons [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas Health & Human Services
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed July 30, aims to raise awareness of this serious global problem. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, this year's theme, "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind," aims to "raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by UNODC and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services and civil society to assess and enhance their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity." Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
500K Texans have been dropped from the Medicaid rolls since April [sm1.multibriefs.com]
The Texas Tribune
Advocates are calling for a halt to removals until the state can account for why more than 80% of the people who lost Medicaid coverage were eliminated for "procedural" reasons, like not responding to messages from the state. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
NATIONAL AND MORE
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Health policy brief: Worker's health and underemployment [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Health Affairs
How tech can help curb maternal mortality for health equity [sm1.multibriefs.com]
GovernmentCIO Media
Texas A&M Health Vital Record
2023
June/July
Study finds that 8 factors put Black adults at greater risk of early death
Tulane News
Black adults who live in the U.S. have a 59% higher risk of premature death than white adults. A new study from Tulane University published in Lancet Public Health has found that this gap can be entirely explained by disparities in eight areas of life critical to health and well-being: employment, income, food security, education level, access to healthcare, quality health insurance, home ownership and marital status. Read More
LOCAL
What is ARPA-H and why does Texas want it in Dallas?
D Magazine
Dallas is part of a consortium of cities in Texas vying to be the site of a future national headquarters of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. This new government agency will support the development of high-risk, high-reward biomedical and health research to drive breakthrough solutions and real-world impact. Read More
TEXAS
New state-wide health and nature collaborative aims to get Texans outdoors for their health's sake
Texas A&M Vital Record
The desire to be outdoors increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as people who wanted to leave their homes looked for a space to practice safe social distancing. Yet as the pandemic has waned, researchers increasingly are finding that there are real and long-term health benefits from regularly being outdoors. Read More
Why some primary care providers are more likely to prescribe HIV prevention medicine to adolescents
Texas A&M Vital Record
Adolescents and young adults are one of the demographic groups most affected by HIV. In 2019, 21% of new HIV infections were among people between the ages of 13 and 24. However, despite these disproportionate figures, use of pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection in this age cohort is extremely low. Read More
HHSC Highlights Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Texas Health and Human Services
Launched in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization, June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and June 15 is recognized as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This national observance provides Texas communities with the opportunity to increase understanding of elder abuse. Read More
NATIONAL AND MORE
Inequity damages health — and drains the economy
AMA
How staffing problems cause racial health disparities in nursing homes
PatientEngagementHIT
Racial health disparities in pain levels exist in elite athletes
PatientEngagementHIT
COVID-19 patients with high air pollution exposure spent longer in hospital
E&T Magazine
News Medical
Modern Retina
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2023
May/June
Texas Primary Care Consortium Summit Registration Open
THI
Registration is now open for the 11th Annual Texas Primary Care Consortium Summit: Creating Stronger Primary Care Together for a Healthier Texas taking place Nov. 2-3, 2023, in Houston, Texas! Participants from diverse backgrounds across the public health and health care spectrum will convene to address the prioritization of primary care in our health care system. Be part of the discussion!
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
5 takeaways from AP's series on health disparities impacting Black Americans
AP News
The Associated Press spent a year examining how racial health disparities have harmed generations of Black Americans. From birth to death, Black Americans fare worse in measures of health compared to their white counterparts. Read More
LOCAL
FDA green lights bionic pancreas studied at UT Health Science Center, University Health
UT Health San Antonio
While it won't cure children of type 1 diabetes, the "bionic pancreas," an artificial intelligence-powered system cleared Friday, May 19, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It will relieve youth and their parents of constant worries over estimating insulin doses and carb intake from food. Read More
Graduating pharmacy student set to attend medical school to continue serving the underserved
Texas A&M Vital Record
Graduate school is a challenge not many attempt, especially a professional degree program in the medical field. However, for one South Texan, one professional degree is not enough. Read More
TEXAS
HHSC recognizes innovators in aging
Texas Health and Human Services
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is recognizing the recipients of the 2022 Innovators in Aging award. This award honors organizations and people who have made positive impacts on the lives of older adults in Texas. Read More
NATIONAL AND MORE
Using advanced payments in population-based models to address equity
Psychosocial correlates in patterns of adolescent emotional eating and dietary consumption
Measuring and addressing the environmental factors that impact social determinants of health
Study sheds light on global disparities in mortality rates from liver disease
NIH pushed to recognize health disparities for people with disabilities
2023
April
HEALTH EQUITY SPOTLIGHT
Understanding crime, violence as a social determinant of health [sm1.multibriefs.com]
PatientEngagementHIT
As the U.S. health care system comes to understand the numerous non-clinical factors that influence health and well-being, it can begin to acknowledge exposure to crime and violence as a social determinant of health. Violence can be varied, Healthy People 2030 says on its website. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
LOCAL
Texas A&M receives $6M for cancer research center [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas A&M Today
Texas A&M University Health Science Center has been awarded a five-year, $6 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, CPRIT, to support the creation of a Texas Regional Excellence in Cancer, or TREC, Center. The grant takes advantage of resources available to Texas A&M University to establish the infrastructure required to advance a cohesive vision to address unmet needs in cancer prevention and treatment regionally and across the nation. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
TEXAS
Texas Health and Human Services
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is resuming eligibility redeterminations for approximately 5.9 million Medicaid recipients now that the federal Medicaid coverage requirement ended March 31. Federal guidance requires states to conduct a renewal determination for all Medicaid recipients over a 12-month period, and HHSC anticipates it will complete this process by May 2024. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Gov. Greg Abbott announces statewide initiatives to fight fentanyl crisis [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Office of the Texas Governor
Gov. Greg Abbott announced two major statewide initiatives to combat the growing national fentanyl crisis and save innocent lives in Texas during his One Pill Kills Summit in Austin. During a press conference following panel discussions, the Abbott unveiled a new $10 million multimedia awareness initiative through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to educate Texans on how to prevent, recognize and reverse fentanyl poisonings as part of the statewide "One Pill Kills" campaign. Read More [sm1.multibriefs.com]
NATIONAL AND MORE
How do clinicians use social determinants of health info? [sm1.multibriefs.com]
PatientEngageentHIT
Tech enables population health approach to better BP control [sm1.multibriefs.com]
American Medical Association
Impact of social determinants of cardiovascular disease risk [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Contemporary OB/GYN
American Heart Association
A closer look at how environment influences physical activity [sm1.multibriefs.com]
Texas A&M Health Vital Record
Health Affairs
Disclaimer: Texas Health Voice is intended to provide the top stories for the week on health equity, public health infrastructure, systems change, social determinants of health, innovation, and more. The news brief content does not reflect the official position or views of THI or imply endorsement, promotion of, or agreement with a particular article or viewpoint.