The State of Health in Texas

At the beginning of the 20th century, the major health threats to individual and community health in the United States were infectious diseases, injuries due to unsafe workplaces, diseases due to poor nutrition, and poor maternal and infant health. During the next 100-plus years, tremendous advances were made in longevity and health status. As the impact of certain historically significant diseases decreased, however, the pattern of public/population disease burden became dominated by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, and cancer. In Texas in 2015, chronic diseases made up the top four causes of death. Public health professionals are largely focused on identifying the risk factors for these chronic diseases via enhanced morbidity and mortality surveillance. In addition to health care providers and the health care sector, a cross-section of other stakeholders, including businesses, communities, and social services, must work collaboratively, creatively, and effectively to reduce the chronic disease burden.