Harris County Public Health Issues New 2024 Chronic Diseases Report
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has released a comprehensive report studying chronic diseases in Harris County. Titled the "2024 Chronic Diseases in Harris County, Texas" report, it dives deep into the most prevalent chronic diseases affecting the community, examining the data collected from 2016 to 2024.
Zoom Webinars to Discuss Report Findings
Furthering efforts to spread awareness, HCPH plans to host two free Zoom webinars, open to healthcare professionals, community organizations, and community members, to discuss the findings from the 2024 Chronic Diseases report. The webinars are scheduled for Thursday, November 7 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is available at bit.ly/ChronicDiseases2024.
Chronic Diseases: A Deeper Dive
According to HCPH, heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in Harris County, with rates of hypertension and diabetes on the rise. While cancer-related deaths have seen a general drop over the six-year period, the report highlights an alarming increase in prostate cancer deaths, particularly amongst Black, non-Hispanic community members.
Ericka Brown, MD, MBA, FACHE, the Harris County Local Health Authority and HCPH’s Director of the Community Health and Wellness Division, describes the report as a "powerful tool for understanding the health landscape of Harris County and identifying areas where we and community partners can make a significant impact."
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Key Findings: Health Disparities and the Leading Diseases
Between 2018 and 2023, diabetes, heart disease, and chronic pulmonary disease remained as the most prevalent diseases in the county, according to the report. White, non-Hispanic community members showed the highest prevalence of heart disease (46.7%) and hypertensive heart disease deaths rose by 24.1% from 2016 to 2021.
Moreover, prostate cancer deaths increased by 3.9% during the same period, with Black men facing nearly double the rates of other groups.
Diabetes deaths witnessed an alarming surge by 29.8% – from 18.8 in 2016 to 24.4 in 2021 – with Black, non-Hispanic residents having the highest age-adjusted death rate.
Addressing Health Disparities
Tackling health disparities remains a top priority for the HCPH. Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of bridging the gap in health outcomes amongst different racial and ethnic groups, particularly Black and Hispanic communities, stating: "We are committed to expanding our education, prevention, and outreach efforts to help close these gaps and ensure that every community member has the opportunity to lead a healthy life."
Chronic Disease Prevention and Management Programs
HCPH continues to roll out a wide range of programs to address chronic diseases. These include the Diabetes Prevention Program, Tobacco Cessation Program, Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiatives, and Health Screenings and Wellness Services. You can view the full 2024 Chronic Diseases report here and learn more about HCPH's programs at www.hcphtx.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
