The South Texas Health Status Review. a Health Disparities Roadmap

Description

· Sponsored by the Institute for Health Promotion Research, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
· Provides an up-to-date status of health in the South Texas region, compared to the rest of Texas and the nation
· Identifies areas of focus for prevention efforts to reduce the burden of disease in South Texas communities

A Health Disparities Roadmap: The South Texas Health Status Review
Edited by Amelie G. Ramirez, Ian M. Thompson, and Leonel Vela

As America's most populous state goes, so goes the nation. And within that state, the 38 counties comprising South Texas--a highly populated, largely Hispanic area characterized by high uninsured rates and low numbers of health care providers--are emblematic of nationwide crises in public health.

The South Texas Health Status Review: A Health Disparities Roadmap brings health care disparities to light in instructive detail. Over thirty key health conditions and risk factors, such as breast cancer, diabetes, obesity, tuberculosis, smoking and alcohol use, lead exposure, birth defects, and homicide rates, are analyzed by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and location (urban or rural), and the results compared with the rest of Texas and the nation as a whole. A section on conclusions and recommendations outlines factors contributing to these conditions and offers suggestions for improvement. These important data should stimulate further population studies and provide impetus for targeted public health interventions and community outreach programs to reduce health inequities and advance care access in the state and the U.S. at large. Major health issues covered in the report include:

· Communicable diseases
· Cancer incidence and mortality
· Maternal and child health
· Chronic diseases
· Behavioral risk factors in adults
· Environmental health issues
· Suicide, homicide, and vehicular mortality

The South Texas Health Status Review contains valuable lessons for researchers in health promotion and health disparities, as well as community health professionals. Policymakers involved in reducing health disparities will find it especially useful.

Content Level » Research
Keywords » health disparities and HIV/AIDS - health disparities and TB - health disparities and asthma - health disparities and cancer - health disparities and diabetes - health disparities and maternal and child health
Related subjects » Population Studies - Public Health

Table of Contents

Chapter1 Introduction.-Chapter 2 South Texas Population Characteristics.-Chapter3 Access to Health Care in South Texas.-Chapter 4 Communicable Diseases.-Chapter 5 Cancer Incidence and Mortality.-Chapter 6 Maternal and Child Health.-Chapter 7Chronic Diseases.-Chapter 8 Behavioral Risk Factors in Adults.-Chapter 9 Environmental Health Issues.-Chapter 10 Injury.- Chapter 11 Conclusions and Recommendations.-