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Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention

Dedicated to the health of every Texan throughout their lifespan.

The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Section serves Texans by creating, promoting, and guiding public health programs across the lifespan to promote healthy lifestyles and educate, prevent, and manage chronic diseases.

The HPCDP Section is part of the Community Health Improvement Division of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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Vision

All Texans live, work, play, and learn in communities that support health and an optimal quality of life at every age.

Mission

To serve all Texans by improving and supporting systems, policies, and environments that promote health and improve quality of life.

Goal

To coordinate efforts between communities, coalitions, and stakeholders to support and sustain an environment that makes possible a whole and healthy Texan.

Our Programs


Elderly couple holding hands.

Alzheimer's Disease Program

The Alzheimer's Disease Program (ADP) works to engage organizations, agencies, institutions, and individuals to work collaboratively to reduce the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in Texas and promote the Texas State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease 2024 – 2018. ADP is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention BOLD Grant recipient. ADP manages several projects including an ADRD awareness campaign, health provider education, the statewide Alzheimer's Disease Partnership, and Grants to Increase Local Dementia Support (GILDS). 

Learn more about the Alzheimer's Disease Program

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Chronic Disease Epidemiology

The Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CDE) branch is a team of epidemiologists and program evaluators who provide epidemiology or evaluation-related assistance to all HPCDP programs. CDE creates a wide variety of data products such as logic models, performance measures, annual tables, maps, and dashboards. The CDE team also does their own research and shares their findings at conferences and in scientific journal publications. Past topics include inpatient asthma hospitalizations during and after Hurricane Harvey, determinants of morbid obesity among Texas adults, and process evaluation on a technical assistance program promoting physical activity in Texas.

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Community Health Worker Program

The Community Health Worker (CHW) or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program (CHW Program) develops and implements statewide training and certification standards, guidelines, and requirements for individuals who are certified as CHWs or promotores and CHW instructors, as well as for CHW training programs.

Learn more about the Community Health Worker Program

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Diabetes Prevention & Control Program

The Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) works to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and diabetes complications. To achieve this, the DPCP creates and disseminates prediabetes and diabetes related educational materials to the public and health care providers; contracts with and provides technical assistance and support to academic institutions and local health departments that provide diabetes prevention and management programs in Texas; collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state agency programs; and supports the Texas Diabetes Council (TDC) in developing the Texas State Plan to Prevent and Treat Diabetes and Obesity.

Learn more about the Diabetes Prevention & Control Program

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Heart Disease & Stroke Program

Heart Disease and Stroke Program (HDSP) works to prevent and reduce death and disability caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Texas. The program’s core functions are to prevent, manage, and reduce the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke. HDSP partners with state and local organizations to reduce the burden of CVD by building sustainable health system infrastructure focused on policy and system changes.

Learn more about the Heart Disease & Stroke Program

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Salad in a heart-shaped bowl, glass of water, a stethoscope, and hand weights on a table.

Obesity Prevention Program

The Obesity Prevention Program (OPP) works to reduce the burden of death and disease related to overweight and obesity in Texas. OPP bases wellness and health promotion interventions on the most current and proven public health strategies in communities, worksites, and childcare education settings. OPP partners with state and local organizations across Texas to facilitate science-based nutrition and physical activity education, policies, and environmental changes. 

Learn more about the Obesity Prevention Program

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Texas Asthma Control Program

The Texas Asthma Control Program aims to help Texans control their asthma, reduce visits to the emergency department, decrease hospitalizations, and improve their quality of life. The program administers the Texas Asthma Control Collaborative, which is the statewide asthma control coalition. In collaboration with the Texas Asthma Control Collaborative, the program implements strategies identified in the Strategic Plan for Asthma Control in Texas.

Learn more about the Texas Asthma Control Program

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Texas Bone Marrow Donation & Transplant 

In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed a bill requiring that DSHS work with a federally authorized bone marrow donor registry to develop written and electronic informational materials. DSHS partnered with NMDP Registry (formerly Be The Match®) to promote bone marrow registry participation. 

Learn more about Texas Bone Marrow Donation & Transplant

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Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

The Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program works with private and public partners to reduce the burden of cancer in Texas. The program administers the Cancer Alliance of Texas, which is the statewide comprehensive cancer control coalition. In collaboration with the Cancer Alliance of Texas, the program implements activities; evidence-based interventions; and policy, system, and environmental changes that address the goals of the Texas Cancer Plan. 

Learn more about the Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

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Texas Healthy Communities

The Texas Healthy Communities Program (TXHC) assists cities and counties with assessing their existing environments, implementing changes in local environmental and policy infrastructure, and adopting priority public health practices to reduce risk factors for CVD, stroke, and other chronic diseases. The program promotes 8 priority areas: physical activity, healthy food access, healthy worksites, environmental health, healthcare quality and access, healthy aging, mental health, and emergency preparedness as it relates to chronic disease management.

Learn more about Texas Healthy Communities

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Texas School Health Program

The School Health Program (SHP) provides school health leadership, support, and guidance to Texas school districts.  Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model, SHP supports education and public health partners with impacting school health issues. Evidence shows that when schools address students' health needs, they can improve student performance and ease financial constraints.

Learn more about the Texas School Health Program

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Texas Tobacco Prevention & Control Program

The Texas Tobacco Prevention and Control Program aims to reduce the toll of tobacco use on the health, safety, and well-being of all Texans. In line with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention best practices, the program’s current efforts include cessation services, youth and young adult initiatives, community coalitions, secondhand smoke initiatives, mass-reach health communication interventions, and surveillance and evaluation.

Learn more about the Tobacco Prevention & Control Program

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Worksite Wellness Program

The Worksite Wellness Program provides guidance and resources to public and private employers to create a foundation for effective wellness programs. This approach creates healthier worksites to support healthy behaviors among employees.   

Learn more about the Worksite Wellness Program

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