Texas Department of Health
Public health services are available to all residents of Texas through the Texas Department of Health (TDH), its regional offices, and its affiliated local health departments. This network, which includes clinics in most Texas counties, provides the professional and technical resources necessary for comprehensive health services. The activities of the department include direct patient services, public education, data acquisition and analysis, and regulatory and health planning functions.Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
The Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control coordinates the administrative, programmatic, and epidemiologic activities of the Cancer Registry Division, the Office of Smoking and Health, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, the Adult Health/Put Prevention in Practice Program, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.Cancer Registry Division
The passage of the Texas Cancer Control Act in 1979 established cancer as a reportable disease in Texas. This law, amended in 1989, requires cancer incidence reporting by all hospitals, clinical laboratories, and cancer treatment centers in Texas. A statewide cancer registry at the Texas Department of Health was created to collect, analyze, and disseminate these data. Through the collection and maintenance of accurate and timely cancer incidence data, the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) plays a vital role in cancer control efforts across the state. TCR data are used by a variety of health researchers, policy planners, and private citizens interested in cancer control issues. The data are used to determine the diversity of types and distributions of cancer and the impact of personal habits and exposure to physical, chemical, or infectious agents on cancer risk. Registry data are also useful in planning and evaluating cancer prevention and control activities, including assessment of need and location of health care delivery systems. TCR data lead to improved care for cancer patients by providing hospitals with statistical information that may be used in case management, treatment evaluation, and resource planning. In addition to gathering, editing, and analyzing cancer data, the TCR provides training, technical assistance, and continuing education opportunities in tumor registry methodologies.Office of Smoking and Health
The mission of the Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) is to focus on the prevention and reduction of tobacco use, particularly among youth. Because nicotine addiction is well established in most users of tobacco products before they reach the age of 18, OSH promotes activities that increase awareness of the hazards of tobacco use and supports changes in social norms that influence young people to begin using tobacco products. Toward these ends, OSH provides support for the statewide coalition, Tobacco-free Network of Texas (TNT), and encourages participation of diverse community groups, coalitions, and other interested citizens in strengthening statewide and local tobacco prevention initiatives. OSH also serves as a clearinghouse for information on tobacco issues and is accessible to the public via a toll-free telephone number 1(800)345-8647.Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program
Funded in 1991 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Programıs (BCCCP) purpose is to reduce mortality due to breast and cervical cancer. BCCCP provides money for statewide education programs for health care professionals and on-site inspections of mammography facilities by the Bureau of Radiation Control to assure compliance with quality control requirements. BCCCP programs have provided more than 42,500 breast screenings and 44,500 cervical screenings to Texas women, and they offer no-cost breast and cervical cancer control services to women at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines.Adult Health/Put Prevention Into Practice Program
The Adult Health/Put Prevention Into Practice Program supports cancer risk assessment and screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, skin, oral, and testicular cancers. The program offers education about these types of cancers as well as cancer of the lung and prostate. Patients are referred to medical specialists when abnormalities are found. These services are offered through Texas Department of Health Regional Clinics, Local Health Departments, Community Health Centers, and Family Practice Residency Training Programs.Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
The Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, initiated in 1987, is a federally funded ongoing telephone survey of randomly selected adult Texans, designed to collect data on lifestyle risk factors contributing to the leading causes of death and chronic diseases. Sample size varies from 1,500 to 2,500 annually. The surveillance can be used to monitor the Year 2000 objectives for smoking, overweight, high blood pressure, exercise, mammography, clinical breast exam, Pap smear, proctoscopy, flu/pneumonia vaccination, cholesterol, seat belt use, fruit/vegetable consumption, and other risk factors, so that intervention priorities can be established and the long-term impact of health promotion programs can be monitored. Because the BRFSS is nationwide, comparisons can be made between Texas and other states and between Texas and the national average.Bureau of Chronically Ill and Disabled Children's Program
Families of children who have cancer can receive assistance with medical expenses through the Chronically Ill and Disabled Childrenıs program (CIDC). CIDC also provides assistance with expenses for travel and lodging related to the childıs treatment for cancer. To be eligible for benefits provided under this program, the family must submit an application so that financial and residency status may be determined. Applications may be obtained by contacting the central or regional Texas Department of Health office.Bureau of Vital Statistics
Through its responsibility for statewide vital statistics, the Bureau of Vital Statistics serves as a resource for cancer mortality data. The Bureau has collected and retained death certificates dating from 1903 to the present. Computerized cause-of-death data dating from 1964 are available. The Statistical Services Division is responsible for providing statistical summaries of data contained in vital records. The Division also provides the Cancer Registry as well as other data users with annual tapes containing cause-of-death information and pertinent demographic data.
