Extending Beyond Academia: Improving the Health Status of East Texas
December 30, 2019
Extending Beyond Academia:
Improving the Health Status of East Texas
The original article appeared in Tyler Today’s October/November 2019 edition. To view the original, pick up a copy of Tyler Today’s October/November 2019 magazine or visit Tyler Today online.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler’s School of Community and Rural Health (SCRH) recently held its grand opening of their new building, a stunning modern addition to the campus. The school offers two graduate degrees —a Master of Public Health and a Master of Health Administration, which hosted its inaugural cohort this fall. However, the SCRH extends beyond academic ventures. As East Texas health outcomes rank as one of the lowest in the state, the school aims to steadily improve the region’s health with a plethora of community outreach programs.
“We will continue to screen East Texans to address colorectal cancer.”
Annually, colorectal cancer affects over 200,000 people in the United States; in East Texas, mortality rates are higher than both the state and the U.S. Compared to Texas, incidence rates are 13% higher, with mortality rates at 15% higher, the highest in the state. However, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. UT Health Science Center’s SCRH colorectal cancer screening program aims to reduce these statistics and is already doing so. Launched in 2016, the project revolves around educating communities about preventive measures available, screenings such as colonoscopies and fecal immunochemical test (FIT) tests and offer these services for free to uninsured individuals. “This project has been very successful; I believe our numbers show that,” commented Carlton Allen, program director. “This is all due to the amazing team here. None of this work could be done without them. We will continue to screen East Texans to address colorectal cancer.”
The numbers Allen referenced are impressive, having reached a staggering 55,000 individuals over the project’s lifetime through various free avenues such as community education, health professional education and screenings. Recently, the project’s funding was renewed and expanded with an award of nearly $2 million, which will allow the program to continue to save East Texan lives.
- 55,000 individuals reached
- 16,054 community individuals educated
- 1,659 health professionals educated
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6,192 screenings
- 4,641 FIT stool tests
- 4,289 negative tests
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343 positive tests
- 1,551 colonoscopies
- 98 showed precancerous or cancerous lesions
“Life circumstances don’t always ensure that kids can get their meds or into care when they need it.”
Imagine this worst-case scenario: an asthmatic child unable to receive life or death medical attention or medication due to their rural location. That’s exactly what prompted this initiative of UT Health Science Center’s SCRH – the Breath of Life Asthma Bus. The project was birthed after one East Texas child, unable to access prescribed medication due to a lack of transportation, tragically died. Thus, the need for this program was very real and apparent for the region.
The Breath of Life Asthma Bus is a mobile outreach asthma clinic equipped with intake, treatment and a private examination area, led by a nurse practitioner team that travels to school districts in rural East Texas to service the needs of asthmatic students. Serving fifty school districts across nineteen counties, the bus provides asthma and allergy management including spirometry, allergy testing, asthma care plans for patients and school nurses, asthma and medication education and follow-up care. Annually, the mobile clinic provides this convenient service to 2,500 students across East Texas.
“The asthma bus is a remarkable resource for children of East Texas,” commented Executive Director Dr. Michele Bosworth. “Life circumstances don’t always ensure that kids can get their meds or into care when they need it, so the asthma bus brings care to the kids!”
“They are to be applauded for their commitment to being the best mothers they can be!”
Approximately two years ago, seventeen first-time expectant mothers said “yes” to inviting a Nurse Home Visitor to walk alongside them through their pregnancy, birth and early parenting. Through UT Health Science Center at Tyler’s SCRH Nurse-Family Partnership program (NFP), local mothers have a resource to turn to, oftentimes when there isn’t one. NFP is an evidenced-based maternal health home visiting program that pairs mothers with nurses who provide guidance from pregnancy to the child’s second birthday.
NFP works by having highly trained nurses regularly visit first-time moms-to-be. The expectant mothers benefit by receiving care and support needed for a healthy pregnancy. Simultaneously, they develop a close relationship with a nurse who becomes a trusted resource they can rely on for advice on everything from safely caring for their child to taking steps to provide a stable, secure future for their new family. Throughout the relationship, nurses provide mothers with the confidence and tools necessary to not only assure a healthy start for their babies, but to envision a life of stability and opportunity for success for their families.
Recently, NFP hosted their inaugural graduation for the seventeen mothers and toddlers who participated in the program as a culmination of the two and one-half yearlong journey. “Now, as mothers of two-year old toddlers, they are graduating and moving on with confidence as parents, an understanding of child development and a roadmap for the future of their families,” commented Susan Rodriguez, program manager. “They are to be applauded for their commitment to be the best mothers they can be!”
“Oral health needs in this region are immense.”
Realizing the magnitude of East Texas’ oral health needs, UT Health Science Center’s SCRH and Tyler Junior College (TJC) partnered to offer an essential service—affordable dental care. Based upon referrals, patients are referred for dental services at the TJC dental clinic. Weekly, lead dentist Adrienne Haire, DMD, and her team are devoted to extensive care such as dental exams, cleanings, extractions and fillings to ensure removal of disease or infection. Included as referrals are UT MD Anderson Cancer Center patients, prior and post-treatment, as well as inpatient behavioral health patients. “Oral health needs in this region are immense. Patients lack resources, access to care and affordable dental services,” commented Dr. Haire. “This program is unique and I’m glad to be part of UT Health Science Center at Tyler’s SCRH, making a difference in this region and addressing a major concern of oral health.”
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, as evidenced, is much more than the typical university. The institution’s mission expands well beyond that of academia. While providing necessary, invaluable education, the university also supplies boots on the ground to benefit the health of East Texans as they steadily advance education, advance research and advance healthcare. Together.
