News Release
February 23, 2007

DSHS Plans Community Health Needs Assessment of East Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and several local health departments will begin assessing community health needs in East Texas today (Feb. 23).

The East Texas Community Health Needs Assessment will gather information on public health, mental health, substance abuse and medical care that can be used to improve community education, prevention, care and treatment.

Information will be gathered through surveys and community forums. Anyone who lives or works in the 35 counties covered in the assessment may participate by taking the survey, by attending a forum or both.

Participants can complete an anonymous survey in English or Spanish online at www.dshs.state.tx.us/easttexas. People also may request a paper copy of the survey in English or Spanish by contacting their local health department, by calling toll free (866) 447-9746 or by sending an e-mail to ETassess@dshs.state.tx.us. Survey deadline is April 6.

A series of 17 community forums will be held March 5 - 9. Interpretation services and special accommodations may be arranged by calling toll free (866) 447-9746 or sending an e-mail to ETassess@dshs.state.tx.us at least 72 hours before the forum.

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.

An assessment report including a profile of the area, results of the surveys and forums, a resource inventory, identification of gaps in health services, recommendations and conclusions will be available online at www.dshs.state.tx.us/easttexas by May 27. Results will be provided at regional, county and ZIP-code levels.

(News media: for more information, contact Dr. Paul McGaha, DSHS Health Services Region 4/5 North, Tyler, 903-533-5264; or Emily Palmer, DSHS Assistant Press Officer, Austin, 512-458-7400.)

Community forums will be held as follows:

• Marshall, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Marshall Regional Hospital, 811 S. Washington
• Longview, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gregg County Health Department, 405 E. Marshall Ave.
• Henderson, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Federal Savings Bank Community Room, 130 N. Marshall St.
• Center, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Texas Workforce Solutions, 1121 Hurst St., Suite 2

• Texarkana, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Southwest Center ABC Room, 3222 W. 7th St.
• Mount Pleasant, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pilgrim Bank, 2401 S. Jefferson
• Jasper, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., City of Jasper Fire Hall, 205 Water St.
• Livingston, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., First Methodist Church, 2801 Hwy 190 W.

• Paris, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Health & Human Services Building, 1460 19th N.W.
• Sulphur Springs, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 N. Davis
• Lufkin, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Angelina County & Cities Health District, 503 Hill St.
• Crockett, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., First Assembly of God, 1417 Loop 304 E.

• Athens, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 225 Lovers Lane
• Tyler, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., United Heritage Federal Credit Union, 1620 S. Broadway
• Nacogdoches, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Simon Nacogdoches Recreation Center, 1112 North St.
• Jacksonville, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, 526 E. Commerce St.

• Palestine, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Palestine Public Library, 1101 N. Cedar