Community Health Needs
San Jacinto Newstimes , August 2007

TYLER  --  The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will share findings from the East Texas Community Health Needs Assessment in 17 community-specific meetings beginning July 12 in Paris.
Focus of the meetings will be to review the outcomes of the assessment and discuss ways to prioritize community health issues.  In addition to Paris, presentations are set for Athens, Center, Crockett, Henderson, Jacksonville, Jasper, Livingston, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Mount Pleasant, Nacogdoches, Palestine,  Sulphur Springs, Texarkana and Tyler.
“The assessment, the report and the meetings represent a significant effort on behalf of hundreds of individuals to document information that can be used to improve community health in East Texas,” said Dr. Paul McGaha, DSHS regional medical director in Tyler.  “While looking at the big picture of community health needs can sometimes be daunting, it is important to realize the power of community and how people in communities can make a difference.”
Beginning in February, the assessment gathered information about public health, mental health, substance abuse and medical care through surveys and community forums in 35 East Texas counties.  A total of 1,924 people completed the survey, and 470 people attended the community forums. DSHS and local health departments conducted the assessment.
Counties covered in the assessment are Anderson, Angelina, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Jasper, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.
A list of the meetings, report, resource inventory and comprehensive data and  information files are available online at www.dshs.state.tx.us/easttexas.  Interpretation services and special accommodations for the meetings may be arranged by calling toll free (866) 447-9746 or sending an e-mail to Etassess@dshs.state.tx.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.
A community meeting will be held in Livingston, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Aug. 28,  First United Methodist Church, 2801 Hwy 190 W.