TARRANT COUNTY, TX
Public Health
Director's Blog
In this blog, the Director of Public Health offers tips and insights to further promote the public's health.
November and December 2024
Have you ever wondered how scientists and doctors can test for dangerous diseases without getting sick?
Tarrant County Public Health operates a bio-laboratory that tests for some of the most hazardous microbes and substances on the planet. It’s official name is....
September 26, 2024
Removing Smart Phones from Classrooms
A letter from the Tarrant County Public Health Director recommending that every school district in Tarrant County remove smartphones from classrooms.
"When I was growing up here in Fort Worth, physicians focused their attention on safeguarding children from outbreaks of chickenpox and the flu. Not anymore. With the digitization of everything, our concern is turning more often to their mental and emotional health. In particular, research has established that the rise of social media exposure has caused an increase in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide among our children. Furthermore, sexual predators are interacting with our children on social media platforms."
July 17, 2024
A New Director, and Ongoing Issues
As the new Director and Local Health Authority for Tarrant County Public Health, I am passionate about having our health department be the best. We will allow data to be our guide as we work to improve the health outcomes of all Tarrant County residents.
June 7, 2024
Transitioning into Summer
It's not officially summer just yet, but you couldn't tell from the temperatures we have been experiencing. If you've lived in North Texas long enough, you know the rainy spring season eventually gives way to higher daily temperatures and an unrelenting, scorching summer.
May 16, 2024
Health Data: A Valuable Resource
One of the many functions of public health is to collect and analyze health data. Data gathering helps us not only take care of Tarrant County, but enables our partner organizations, other public health departments as well as state and national agencies to take measures which combat and hopefully minimize any disease outbreak.
April 5, 2024
The first full week in April is National Public Health Week.
Did you know public health is more than just health care? "Public health" is part of the government infrastructure that focuses specifically on health education and prevention, instead of simply treating patients who are already sick, as most hospitals do. We help to ensure food and water are safe to eat and drink, monitor and track certain diseases, and build strong relationships in our communities to create better health outcomes.
March 6, 2024
Get "Smart" with your yard
March is finally here and that means it’s time to start planting gardens and improving our yards. One of the many things Public Health has been concerned about is water from rain and sprinkler systems on residential and commercial properties that runs off into street and storm drains. Unfortunately, some of this runoff can carry pesticides and other chemicals that get into the groundwater in our soil. This groundwater can seep through porous rock or sediment and resurfaces into wells and springs, which supply water to reservoirs. Many, but not all, of these chemicals can be removed by....
February 14, 2024
Health goals and heart month
As Tarrant County Public Health’s new interim director, I want to commend those Tarrant County residents who not only resolved to work on their health this year, but also those who are hanging tough on their resolutions. Having health goals for ourselves that we can stick to is important for a happier life.
January 10, 2024
Determination is the key to keeping healthy goals
The new year always presents a chance for anyone to make a fresh start. I'm not just talking about the typical New Year resolutions, like getting organized, quitting smoking, etc.
I'm talking about that inner determination we each must develop to accomplish whatever goal we set for ourselves. And any goal that can improve your health is a worthwhile goal no matter what your age or condition.
One way to go about that is to start some simple habits that you can easily do until you don't have to think about them. For instance,...
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