Central Health teamed with Austin’s Health and Human Services Department, Travis County Health and Human Services Department, and the county Veterans Services Department to create the Healthy ATC initiative, which these entities say will track health disparities in the community and make health data public.
“Health information should be useful and accessible to all potential users,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler said during the Aug. 19 announcement. “This data … allows for the identification of solutions.”
Central Health, the city of Austin and Travis County team up to launch the web portal www.healthyatc.org.[/caption]Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt said the city and county have already made great strides in banning smoking in many workplaces. Without data to prove that smoking was harmful, it would have been more difficult to implement smoking bans, she said.
“We need to repeat that success in areas like obesity,” Eckhardt said.
The website allows users to search for data on diabetes, cancer, disabilities, immunizations and infant health, among other health measures, by region, race, gender and age. The site also includes recent news on smoking bans and food sustainability as well as community programs designed to help residents suffering from addiction, disease or unhealthy weight gain.
Katrina Daniel, Central Health Board of Managers chairperson, said she hopes the website will guide lawmakers to support policies that enhance Healthy ATC’s mission.
“Today I encourage the policymakers, decision makers and influencers in our community to connect to the Healthy ATC initiative," she said. "The work it will produce has the power to transform Austin and Travis County into a place that truly sets a standard for health and wellness for all members of our community."
