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Healthy Hays County

Healthy Hays CountyHealthy Hays CountyHealthy Hays County

Action through planning

Healthy Hays County

Healthy Hays CountyHealthy Hays CountyHealthy Hays County

Action through planning

We envision a Healthy Hays fully committed to equitable access to resources where all people are thriving and resilient. We are committed to improving the quality of life in Hays County by collaborating to ensure a system of high-quality physical & mental health services, education, employment, and infrastructure is available to all.

Community Health Assessment

The Hays County Local Health Department completed a Community Health Assessment in 2023. The department used the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) process, a community-driven strategic planning process to achieve health equity. MAPP was developed by the National Association of City and County Health Officials. The process resulted in both a health assessment and community health improvement plan.

Overview of MAPP 2.0 Assessments

The MAPP process has three assessments: the Community Status Assessment, Community Context Assessment, and Community Partner Assessment.

Community Status Assessment

Community Context Assessment

Community Context Assessment

compiles quantitative data regarding the health conditions within the community by gathering information on health status, quality of life, and risk factors through quantitative measures.

Community Context Assessment

Community Context Assessment

Community Context Assessment

aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the community in which the health improvement plan is being developed. This includes exploring the community’s demographics, social determinants of health, economic factors, cultural dynamics, forces of change, and other contextual factors that influence health outcomes.

Community Partner Assessment

Community Context Assessment

Community Partner Assessment

is a strategic process that identifies and engages key stakeholders, assesses their capacities and resources, explores collaboration opportunities, and establishes partnerships to foster collective efforts towards improving the health and well-being of the community.

Data Collection Methods

Community Visioning Session

Community Visioning Session

Community Visioning Session

Steering Committee Meetings

Community Visioning Session

Community Visioning Session

Key Informant Interviews

Community Visioning Session

Key Informant Interviews

Community Surveys

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Key Informant Interviews

Community Partner Survey

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Primary and Secondary Data Analysis

Community Status Assessment

This assessment identified ten areas to address to advance to a healthier Hays County.

Priority Areas

Affordable Healthcare

Mental Health Services

Affordable Healthcare

Affordable Housing

Mental Health Services

Affordable Healthcare

Transportation

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services

Cost of Living

Equity in Healthcare

Cost of Living

Infrastructure

Equity in Healthcare

Cost of Living

Equity in Healthcare

Equity in Healthcare

Equity in Healthcare

Recreation and Parks

Equity in Healthcare

Equity in Healthcare

Services for Seniors and Low Income Families

Services for Seniors and Low Income Families

Services for Seniors and Low Income Families

Better Access to Specialized Services

Services for Seniors and Low Income Families

Services for Seniors and Low Income Families

Community Status Survey

Health Resource Availability Findings

Community Status Survey

Initium Health surveyed Hays County residents across various neighborhoods and communities. Participants ranked the availability of public transit 1.9/5 and affordable housing 2.0/5 the lowest.

Socioeconomic Findings

Health Resource Availability Findings

Community Status Survey

The average poverty rate in Hays County is 12.4% as of 2020, a 7% decrease from 2019. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate is 2.9% (as of November 2022), whereas the unemployment rate in the state of Texas is 4.0%.

Health Resource Availability Findings

Health Resource Availability Findings

Health Resource Availability Findings

In Hays County, the average resident to primary care provider ratio is 2,343 to 1, which is higher (worse) than the state of Texas and the US as a whole. 16.1% of people under the age of 65 in Hays County are uninsured, compared to 9.2% of the US population being uninsured.

Community Context Assessment

Community Strengths and Assets

  • Hays Networking Groups
  • Dunbar Heritage Association & Calaboose African American History Museum
  • Hays County Interagency Group of Nonprofits
  • Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center
  • Community Action, WIC, Head Start
  • Disability Awareness Expo
  • Homeless Coalition of Hays County
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Texas State University
  • Austin Community College

  • Local Government and Invested Representatives
  • Small Businesses
  • Civic Organizations
  • Neighborhood Commissions, Council of Neighborhood Associations, and Community Events
  • School Districts
  • Hospitals
  • Downtown Associations
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Local and Community Clinics
  • Pet Resource Centers
  • Libraries

Built Environment

Resource Map

Healthcare Access

Healthcare Access

A detailed map of resources in the Built Environment was created with the input of the Steering Committee and through web-based research. Resources include arts and culture, parks, emergency services, schools, healthcare, libraries, recreation and sports facilities, houses of worship, nonprofits, and other services.

Healthcare Access

Healthcare Access

Healthcare Access

Most healthcare providers are located in the most populous cities of Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos. Residents living outside of these areas face challenges getting to the care they need.

Access to Food

Access to Food

Access to Food

Highlighted areas show census tracts that are low income and have low access to grocery stores. Low access is defined as where more than 100 housing units that do not have a vehicle and that are more than 1⁄2 mile from the nearest supermarket.

Walkability

Access to Food

Access to Food

According to the National Walkability Index, only a few census tracts surrounding San Marcos have a “Above Average Walkable” score (in green). The majority of Hays County census tracts are either rated “Least Walkable” ( in orange) or “Below Average Walkable” (in yellow).

Forces of Change

The forces of change identified by the steering committee and through key informant interviews were collated into six themes:

Healthcare

Economy and Housing

Population Growth

Population Growth

Economy and Housing

Population Growth

Economy and Housing

Economy and Housing

Economy and Housing

Infrastructure

Local Government

Economy and Housing

Local Government

Local Government

Local Government

Equity

Local Government

Local Government

Community Partner Assessment

Strengths of Community Partners Include 

Leaders speak the language of target populations

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Successful engagement and support for target communities

Successful engagement and support for target communities

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Successful engagement and support for target communities

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Leadership development within target populations

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Collaboration with other community organizations to reach target populations

Cross-Cutting Themes

Four overarching themes emerged across the results of the MAPP assessments. These key issues were highlighted throughout the visioning session, stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and steering committee assessments, brainstorming sessions, and discussions. These themes reflect high-level strategy areas that, if addressed, will impact many of the health needs and concerns identified through the MAPP process.


Healthy Hays Coalition will address this through the Community Health Improvement Plan, and we welcome you to join us by contacting Matthew Gonzales, Local Health Department Manager at matthew.gonzales@co.hays.tx.us.

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