April 17, 2023 - The Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO), along with public health authorities across Texas, announced a statewide Unified Communications Campaign (UCC) in leadership with Laredo Health Department, Houston Public Health, and Abilene Public Health. According to Jennifer Smith, Executive Director of TACCHO, "We truly have better health through better partnerships, and I thank the members for bringing this initiative to life." The UCC will utilize various communication channels such as social media, advertising, and others to educate Texans on public health topics, historic, current and trending, and ensure equitable access to health services.

Dr. Richard Chamberlain, Laredo Director of Health, believes that "a unified communications campaign is crucial to promoting public health initiatives, programs, and services. By bringing together various organizations and agencies, we can maximize our reach to a wider audience and effectively educate and inform the public about important health issues. This collaboration allows us to work towards a common goal of improving the health and well-being of our communities, and ultimately, reducing the burden of preventable disease."

The campaign's initial focus is vaccine health education, aimed at improving vaccination rates across the state for COVID-19, flu, measles, and other vaccine-preventable illnesses. The UCC involves a series of communications spotlighting outreach activities, educational programs, and vaccination clinics held in various locations across Texas. According to Katherine Wells, Lubbock Director of Health and TACCHO President, "Vaccines are essential in preventing infectious diseases, and this campaign will help ensure that all Texans are able to make their choice to choose being vaccinated to stay healthy and protect others."

By partnering with diverse organizations and agencies, the UCC can deliver consistent and accurate health information to diverse populations. This will help build trust in Texas communities and increase participation in health programs and services, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and greater health equity. This initiative will kick off tomorrow, Tuesday, April 18^th at 12pm central time via social media, with the initial messaging focusing on the importance of vaccination.

General Vaccine Message: (Go To TACCHO Education Page for Full Messages) 

• English  

Vaccinations have been proven to be one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect children and adults from serious illnesses. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted regular vaccination schedules, and many children have fallen behind on their immunizations. Let's get back on track and help stop the spread and help make Texas the example to show that vaccines are in fact safe and effective! LOVE, PROTECT, AND VACCINATE THEM.

Link for the video:  https://youtu.be/A8V-7yLgc6o

• Spanish:

Se ha demostrado que las vacunas son una de las formas más efectivas de prevenir la propagación de enfermedades infecciosas y proteger a niños y adultos de enfermedades graves. Sin embargo, la pandemia de COVID-19 ha interrumpido los calendarios regulares de vacunación, y muchos niños se han retrasado en sus vacunas. ¡Volvamos a la normalidad y ayudemos a detener la propagación! Hagamos de Texas el ejemplo para demostrar que las vacunas son de hecho seguras y efectivas. ÁMALOS, PROTÉGELOS Y VACÚNALOS.

Link for the video:    https://youtu.be/HWbjFu3jJUk

To access information on your community Local Health Department and the information on vaccine health find your LHD at the TACCHO member list HERE.

TACCHO SAYS

TACCHO members educate local, state and federal policy makers on the work of local public health. Go to the Advocacy site for more information on statements and positions by TACCHO!

Thank a Public Health Professional! 

Please take time to thank a public health professional for their time and commitment promoting the health of the people, preventing against diseases to the body and protecting against threats to health, 24/7! Thank you to these TACCHO Public Health Heroes!

TACCHO urges everyone to stay safe by continuing good health practices and following the guidance from the Department of State Health Services!!

October 1 is Influenza Awareness Day in Texas, and the Department of State Health Services recommends eligible Texans protect themselves and their families by getting a flu shot as soon as possible. It takes the body about two weeks to make flu antibodies after vaccine administration, so early vaccination is crucial.

“Seasonal influenza presents a real public health threat to Texans, and immunization remains our best defense against serious flu illness,” said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, MD. “Other actions can also help protect you and people close to you, like covering coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, and staying home from work or school when you are sick.”

DSHS recommends Texans six months of age and older get the flu shot by the end of October. That is especially important for those more at risk of severe flu-related complications, such as young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions like heart and lung disease, diabetes and asthma. Immunization can make flu symptoms less severe and reduce flu-related deaths and hospitalizations.

For more information about influenza and how to protect against flu illness, visit dshs.texas.gov/influenza-flu. You can also contact your doctor, local health department or pharmacy to learn where you can get your flu shot or use the vaccine finder at Vaccines.gov to locate where flu shots are available.

More information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at this link.

 New Rankings Show Healthiest and Least Healthy Counties in Texas

Prioritizing Infrastructure Investments Can Fuel More Civically Active Communities and Healthier Residents!

TACCHO Member Local Public Health Entities in the counties of Collin, Denton, Williamson, Fort Bend, Hays, and Travis ranked in the top ten for Health Outcomes in the 2023 County Health Rankings.

Collin, A TACCHO Member county, ranks the healthiest Texas county in the state, according to new County Health Rankings data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The Rankings are available at where you can view your specific county ranking:

https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/explore-health-rankings/texas/data-and-resources

For more than a decade Rankings’ data, evidence, guidance and stories have broadened the nation’s understanding about the multiple factors that shape health. This year, CHRR found that counties with well-reseourced civic infrastructure have higher rates of high school completion, higher household incomes, less income inequality and lower rates of children in poverty and uninsured adults. In these communities, people also tend to live longer.

This year's County Health Rankings looked at a series of factors to measure civic infrastructure and participation in counties including access to parks, school funding adequacy, broadband, voter tunrout and self-reported participation. 

As Local Public Health Agencies in Texas, we work hand in hand with local government to support sustainable development, accessible and safe neighborhood schools, and governmental transparency AND we ensure community-based programs and services are available to all residents to allow them to reach their full health potential.