Texas DSHS and Public Health

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) seeks to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans through good stewardship of public resources, a focus on core public health functions, and the use of science and data to drive decision-making and best practices.

They develop public health strategies, including prevention and intervention, and seeks to optimize public health response to disasters, disease threats and to improve and support delivery of public health services.

DHSH conducted an online survey of its stakeholders March 1-April 15, 2018, and stakeholders were asked to rate how well DSHS performs six key public health functions:

• Implementing programs and policies to improve health outcomes,
• Using science and data to drive decision-making and best practices,
• Responding to disasters and disease threats and outbreaks,
• Supporting local entities in the delivery of essential public health services,
• Developing standards and ensuring compliance to protect consumers, and

• Partnering and collaborating with stakeholders.

Between 60-67 percent of responding stakeholders rated DSHS as “good” or “very good” in these areas.

When asked about their confidence, based on the past two years, of DSHS to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans, 58 percent reported consistently high or increasing confidence and 28 percent had no change in their confidence level.  DSHS got the highest ratings for communicating via the Internet, news releases, brochures, and other printed material, with 53-58 percent of stakeholders rating those “good” or “very good.” However, a significant number of stakeholders reported that they do not know how DSHS is communicating through social media, billboards, and, to a lesser degree, public meetings, television, and radio.

DSHS continues to analyze the responses to the survey to inform its future actions.

DSHS is in the process of developing a strategic engagement plan to promote opportunities for collaboration on public health issues with stakeholders and partners. The survey results provide helpful feedback as the agency addresses gaps in a prioritized manner to build a sustainable and productive stakeholder engagement plan. 

Perhaps the DSHS will engage the chiropractic community for the world’s leading public health crisis–back pain.

Source: DSHS Survey