GCHD plays a key role in informing and educating the public on important health matters
The Galveston County Health District is an organization which has protected and promoted the health of Galveston County residents for over thirty years since its formation. The Health District, itself, is formed out of a collaborative agreement between the county and thirteen member cities. These local governmental bodies include: Bayou Vista, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, Friendswood, Galveston (city), Galveston County, Hitchcock, Jamaica Beach, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Santa Fe, Texas City, and Tiki Island.
The services provided by the Health District are overseen by two boards which review and adopt health policies. The United Board of Health is a thirteen member policy-making board responsible for the ten essential public health functions found in Chapter 121.§121.002 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. The Coastal Health & Wellness Governing Board consists of eleven voting members and two ex-officio members that are the policy-making board responsible for the operations of federally funded community health clinics currently located in Texas City and Galveston. The Coastal Health & Wellness clinics provide discounted healthcare services to Galveston County residents.
Nearly 300 dedicated employees perform District health services in the following areas: (1) the Coastal Health & Wellness clinics; (2) emergency medical services for Galveston Island and other areas under contract; and (3) a variety of community health and environmental health programs. A comprehensive group of executive and administrative staffs support these public services through federal, state, county, city and private funding sources. For 2005, the Health District was accountable for over 20 million dollars, derived from over thirty (30) revenue sources and contracts that are earmarked for a vast array of beneficial public health and healthcare services.
The Health District’s Strategic Health Plan outlines priorities and goals for health improvements in Galveston County by the year 2015. The plan and annual reports are located on the website, www.gchd.org, and represent months of extensive planning involving hundreds of health partners throughout the District. Health District staffs collaborate extensively with community health partners. For example, one priority is to improve public awareness of Health District services and another is to improve senior health. Through a collaborative partnership with the Mainland Communities United Way, significant progress towards both of these priorities was made possible.
Anonymous on 11/14/2013 9:23:15 AM
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