Featured Resources and Links:
Find here current resources and helpful websites dealing with healthcare access in the Austin/Travis County area.
If you have a document, website, or event you would like posted to this page, contact Julie at juliew@austin.rr.com.
Past minutes of meetings, older articles and more reports issued by health providers in Austin can be found on the archives page.
“52*23 Network” Meeting Minutes
Healthcare Resources
Excellent article from the American Journal of Nursing about the myths and facts about who is uninsured. Includes a moving account of an uninsured Texas mom and her struggle with breast cancer.
Includes update on health initiatives in the St. John neighborhood.
Includes specific health goals and funding initiatives.
Information on a new teen clinic that is offering pregnancy and STD services and counseling.
Healthcare websites
The ICC is an alliance of healthcare safety net providers that work together to increase access, improve quality and impact financing solutions to provide care to the region's medically indigent. Members include the local hospital networks, city and independent clinics, doctors and many other involved in healthcare in central Texas. This is a great starting place if you want to know what is being done to help those without medical insurance.
The Community Health Center system is the family doctor for over 45,000 children and adults in Austin and Travis County. The Community Health Centers (CHCs) provide outpatient primary healthcare, dental, behavioral health, and HIV/AIDS treatment services.Fourteen CHC locations serve Travis County residents whose low incomes and lack of private health insurance qualify them for enrollment. More than 92 percent of CHC patients have incomes below the federal poverty level of $18,400 per year for a family of four.
Many people living in Austin do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP health insurance. The Medical Assistance Program (MAP) is available to those who meet eligibility requirements. Click here for more information about income requirements, documentation necessary and how to apply.
Insure•a•kid helps uninsured Central Texas families get enrolled in non-commercial health care coverage programs, including CHIP, Medicaid, and other programs for adults and children available in our community. Click here for more information in english and spanish.
In 2005, the Mayor and City Council for the City of Austin requested that research be done on factors influencing the quality of life of African Americans in Austin, TX. Disparities were identified in relation to things such as employment, housing, educational opportunities and health, to name a few. For information on what is being done to address these issues, refer to the African American Quality of Life Initiative.
Search Your Heart is a faith-based program for heart health and stroke prevention. It is an informative, interactive and fun initiative that helps faith-based organizations reach African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. It is available in both english and spanish.
African Americans are at greatest risk for every major health disparity and diet related disease. These include many types of cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. They also are least likely among other population groups to make a connection between fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced risk for disease, particularly cancer. Body & Soul is a health program developed for African American churches. The program encourages church members to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables every day for better health. Churches that embrace Body & Soul help their members take care of their bodies as well as their spirits. The church is one of the most powerful elements to African American culture, and clergy leaders are key influencers to their congregations.
Are you interested in how to help your church, community or school group get moving on an sustainable exercise program? Walk Texas! is a community-based program whose mission is to promote the health of Texans by increasing awareness and opportunities for individuals to engage in regular physical activity, including walking.
Wise Guys is an educational program to address teen pregnancy by supporting teenage boys in developing the ability to make wiser and more responsible decisions about their behavior and relationships to reduce teen pregnancy and prevent transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Materials are available in english and spanish and are a perfect for school, church or community based programs.
iThrive is a new resource, friend, reminder to live life to the fullest by doing things you already love to do, and controlling things like Asthma, Diabetes, and Obesity. Healthy living is a reward, not a chore, that dramatically impacts every aspect of your life - mind, body and soul. iThrive is a community initiative to motivate people to make healthy lifestyle choices so they can live longer, more fulfilling lives.
Next Meeting:
February 6 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Conference Room A of the St. John Community Center, 7500 Blessing Ave., 78752. For more information, call Julie Weeks at 512-797-4847 or e-mail her at juliew@austin.rr.com.
