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Central Texas made a significant shift in how we approach improving the health of our community in 2011 that, when implemented in 2012 and beyond, will strengthen overall health and quality of life for years to come.
Central Texas is at a critical juncture and faces serious challenges to our continued prosperity and vitality as a region. Our population is growing at a rate nearly 4 times the national average, is aging and becoming more diverse, quickly changing the health needs of our community. Our current health status as a community is burdened by rising rates of chronic disease, earlier onset of chronic disease and high rates of obesity, among other issues. We have one of the highest rates of uninsured in the nation, limiting access to healthcare resources. Provider shortages and lacking community infrastructure further constrain our ability to support and improve population health. These factors among others are driving up the cost of healthcare, straining insufficient health resources and creating a drain on productivity, all of which create a drain on businesses and families in Central Texas.
These challenges demand a holistic approach to healthcare—one that integrates preventative care and community health and wellness programs with treatment of illness. We simply cannot afford to pursue business as usual. Without regional, collaborative engagement by all sectors, including business, academic and civic, the costs of preventable disease and sick-care threaten our economic and social vitality.
In 2011, Central Health [8] introduced key initiatives to advance an integrated, collaborative approach to health and wellness for Central Texas. These initiatives consider the relationship between prevention, health and healthcare while seeking ways to reduce costs and improve health.
In mid-October, Central Health Connection [9] convened community leaders and organizations from Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell and Williamson counties to learn about five key priorities to improve Central Texas's health. A report, Health and Health Care Trends & Innovations in Central Texas [10], released in October, offers a comprehensive healthcare vision for Central Texas and outlines opportunities for institutions and individuals to contribute to the health of the region. These initiatives draw on commitments from business, civic, academic, transportation and healthcare sectors to educate our population and promote health and wellness at every level of our community. 
To support this holistic vision Central Health is expanding services for primary care, preventative health services and access to care for its constituents. We have expanded services available through our facilities and contracted providers, including expanded mental health services and providing access to dental and ob/gyn care at several clinics. During the course of the 2011 fiscal year we created access for 267,119 primary care visits (including Medical, Dental, and Behavioral Health), an increase of 7,393 over 2010, and 89,701 more than our first year of operation in 2005.
We are also advancing improved quality and efficiency of care. Central Health’s collaboration with the Integrated Care Collaboration to update the Electronic Health Exchange, iCare2, will allow us to more efficiently and effectively provide care across Central Texas. Read more about how electronic health exchanges are improving health of Central Texans. [11]
As Central Texas changes, Central Health will continue advancing discussions and initiatives to create a healthier workforce, control healthcare spending, improve quality of life and sustain future economic growth. Every business, organization, institution and individual who works or lives in Central Texas has the potential to affect not only our region’s health and quality of life, but also our economic future. We encourage you to join us in the next several months to understand the steps we must take to ensure our community's vitality and help make Central Texas a model healthy community.