Known as the "Lone Star State", Texas is the second-largest, second-most populous state in the United States. With a land area of over 261,914 square miles, the population of Texas is 20,851,820. In fact, three of its cities: Houston, Dallas and San Antonio are ranked among the 10 most populated cities in the country. Benefiting from its location along the Mexican border, the state is ethnically diverse: 53% of the population is White, 31.9% is Hispanic and 11.6% is African American. Additionally, there are three existing Indian reservations in the state: the Alabama-Coushatta Reservation, the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo (Tigua Indian Reservation) and the Kickapoo Reservation. The state is home to eight historically black colleges and universities, including Prairie View A & M University and Texas Southern University. The name "Texas" (or Tejas) comes from a Spanish pronunciation of a Caddo Indian word meaning "friends" or "allies."

Health Departments

• Amarillo (City of) Department of Public Health
• Denton County Health Department
• San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
• Smith County Public Health District
• Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
  Nursing home care resources, information on age benefits, entitlements, pensions, and insurance, with links to age-related sites.
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission
  HHSC has oversight responsibilities for designated Health and Human Services agencies, and administers certain health and human services programs including the Texas Medicaid Program, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse investigations.
• Texas Health Service Regions

Community Based Organizations

• Denton Family Resource Center
  Community information and education.
• Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
• Helping Organizations in East Texas
  Includes links to East Texas local chapters of organizations such as the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.

Library Information

• Harris County Public Library
• Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library
• Houston Public Library
• Texas A&M University Libraries
• Texas Association of School Librarians
• Texas Association of School Library Administrators
• Texas Health Science Libraries Consortium
• Texas Library Association
• Texas State Library and Archives Commission
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Library
• University of North Texas Health Science Center
• University of Texas at Arlington Libraries
• University of Texas at Austin General Libraries
• University of Texas at El Paso Library
• University of Texas Health Center at Tyler Medical Research Library
• University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Library
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

State/Local Associations

• American Heart Association in Tyler
• Alzheimer's Alliance of North Texas
• Smith County Medical Society
• Texas Association of Local Health Officials (TALHO)
• Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
• Texas Dental Association
• Texas Hospital Association
• Texas Medical Association
• Texas Nurses Association
• Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA)
• Texas Public Health Association
• Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (TSBME)
  Information on meeting dates, agendas, rules, complaint information, continuing medical education, faqs and other information related to medicine in Texas.

Special Populations

• Center for Research on Minority Health
  Comprehensive investigational, educational and outreach component of M. D. Anderson Cancer Center focusing on cancer and, ultimately, other health issues disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities and the medically underserved.
• Texas Office of Border Health
  Promotes and protects the health of border residents by reducing community and environmental health hazards along the Texas-Mexico border.
• Texas Office for the Elimination of Health Disparities

Statistical Information

• National Center for Health Statistics: Texas Facts
• State Health Facts Online: Texas
• State Snapshots 2005 from the National Healthcare Quality Report
  Texas's overall healthcare quality performance compared to all states and how it has changed.
• Texas Cancer Data Center (TCDC)
  Provides online cancer information on health professionals, facilities and services, cancer statistics, population, and community resources.
• Texas Health Data
  Allows the user to customize statistical reports by querying vital records and other health related databases.
• Texas State Data Center
  Disseminates population estimates and projections for Texas, as well as other information from the federal government, state government, and other sources.
• Texas Vital Statistics
  County level mortality and morbidity statistics.
• U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts: Texas

Other Resources

• Handbook of Texas Online
  Multidisciplinary encyclopedia of Texas history, geography, and culture.
• Healthy Schools
  State-level school health policies from the National Association of State Boards of Education.
• Texas DocFinder
  Information on Texas physicians - license status and number, license type, address, birthdate, original license date, license expiration date, education and specialty. Also specifies if any disciplinary action has been taken.
• Texas Online Information
  From agencies of Texas state government.
• Texas Information and Referral Network
  Working to develop, coordinate and publicize a statewide network that provides local and state access points for health and human services information in Texas.
• Texas Health Care Information Collection
  Provides data that will enable Texas consumers and health plan purchasers to make informed health care decisions.