Publications

COVID-19 Impact on the Hispanic/Latino Community

11/01/2023

This memo examines the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on health outcomes for the Hispanic/Latino community on the national, state, and county-level, where possible. In addition, various social determinants of health were reviewed for the Hispanic/Latino community and how they may have contributed to disproportionate negative health outcomes due to COVID-19. This memo also includes a review of language access programs and policies used by Harris County-related health and emergency management agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and concludes with policy recommendations that may help mitigate disproportionate health impacts on the Hispanic/Latino community during a future health emergency.

Addendum to Expanding and Promoting Family Planning Services Memo: Service and Expenditure Data for Harris County Health Entities

05/19/2023

This addendum to the Analyst's Office's memo, Expanding and Promoting Family Planning Services, presents additional family planning service data for three Harris County health entities: Harris Health System, Harris County Public Health, and Baylor Teen Health Clinic. The health entities provided client and encounter data for 2021 based on core family planning service categories. Harris County health entities had a total of 592,384 family planning service encounters in 2021. Related preventive health services had the greatest number of total encounters with 401,535 (67.8%), followed by sexually transmitted disease services with 63,939 (10.8%). 

Quarterly Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, March 2023

03/14/2023

This quarterly memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to February 2023, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of February 26, 2023, 26.2%(1,241,668) of individuals in Harris County had received at least one booster shot, a 3.1% increase (from 1,203,830 to 1,241,668) from November 27, 2022.

Expanding and Promoting Family Planning Services

01/31/2023

This memo provides a review of family planning services in Harris County and identifies opportunities to promote and expand access to these services for Harris County residents and their families. The Analyst’s Office utilized the CDC’s best practice recommendations in defining the core services provided by quality family planning programs. The memo identifies three policy considerations which may aid in meaningfully promoting and expanding access to family planning programs and services in Harris County. Policy considerations include: Monitor and evaluate changing demands for existing services, and consider increases in funding where changes in demand demonstrate need; Expand access to family planning services using mobile health services; and Inform residents about enhanced health insurance affordability.

Quarterly Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, December 2022

12/13/2022

This quarterly memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to December 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of November 27, 2022, 25.4% (1,203,830) of individuals in Harris County had received at least one booster shot, a 6.4% increase (from 1,131,887 to 1,203,830) from August 28, 2022.

Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution and Cases, October 2022

10/25/2022

This is the final monthly memo on the status of monkeypox cases and the effort to distribute the monkeypox vaccine in Harris County. The memo includes analyses by an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, and precinct. The number of individuals fully vaccinated in Harris County increased 101% from September 2022 to October 2022, from 2,675 fully vaccinated individuals in September to 5,370 fully vaccinated individuals in October.

Monkeypox Vaccine Distribution and Cases, September 2022

09/27/2022

This memo provides an overview of the status of monkeypox cases and the effort to distribute the monkeypox vaccine in Harris County. The memo includes analyses by an individual’s age, race, ethnicity, and precinct. As of September 2, 2022, 6,135 individuals in Harris County received at least one dose of the JYNNEOS monkeypox vaccine. Of that total, 84.6% (5,188 individuals) received their first dose, and 15.4% (947 individuals) received their second dose (completing the vaccine series).

Quarterly Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, September 2022

09/13/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to August 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. In response to the slowing changes in vaccine distribution, this memo is released quarterly instead of monthly, with the next release scheduled for December 2022. As of August 28, 2022, 63.1% (2,984,328) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated, meaning an individual has received both doses of either the Modernaor Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This reflects a 1.3% (from 2,945,239 to 2,984,328) increase from June 2022.

Analysis of Aligned Services Provided by HCPH and HHD

07/29/2022

This memo summarizes administrative and technical healthcare services provided by HCPH and HHD and identifies areas of alignment, or areas with shared goals and outcomes, using a framework provided by the US Government Accountability Office. Based on services provided by HCPH and HHD, thirteen areas of alignment are identified: (1) Provide lead-safe housing, (2) Reduce and prevent lead poisoning of children, (3) Improve immunization coverage, (4) Reduce the spread of HIV & STDs, (5) Reduce food waste and food insecurity, (6) Safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children, (7) Improve dental health, (8) Ensure food safety and compliance, (9) Provide epidemiology services, (10) Permit and inspect public pools, (11) Prevent, treat, and control the spread of Tuberculosis, (12) Reduce and prevent substance use, and (13) Provide clinical and preventative health care. The analysis highlights several notable findings, including: For five aligned goals, HCPH and HHD provide services to the same jurisdiction (residents of Harris County and the City of Houston); for ten aligned goals, HCPH and HHD report outcome data for the same service to the same granting agency; and for three aligned goals, HCPH and HHD have an online presence for similar services serving the same jurisdiction.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, June 2022

06/28/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to June 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of June 12, 2022, 62.3% (2,945,239) of all individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated, meaning an individual has received both doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This reflects a 0.5% (from 2,929,252 to 2,945,239) increase from May 10, 2022.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, May 2022

05/24/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to May 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of May 10, 2022: 67.8% (802,050) of Precinct One residents were vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose; 59.0% (697,750) of Precinct Two residents were vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose; 81.3% (956,466) of Precinct Three residents were vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose; and, 73.1% (868,330) of Precinct Four residents were vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, April 2022

04/26/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to April 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of April 10, 2022, 61.6% (2,916,179) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated, 9.9% (469,007) were partially vaccinated, and 21.0% (993,808) had received booster shots.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, March 2022

03/22/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to March 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of March 6, 2022, 61.1% (2,888,865) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated, 9.9% (468,030) were partially vaccinated, and 20.0% (944,041) had received booster shots. 

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, February 2022

02/22/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to February 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. Between January 1, 2020, and February 8, 2022 there were 845,920 positive COVID-19 cases confirmed by a PCR test in Harris County and 7,033 confirmed COVID-19-related deaths. 

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, January 2022

01/25/2022

This memo provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination distribution effort in Harris County between January 2021 to January 2022, including analyses by precinct, age, race, and ethnicity. As of January 11, 2022, 58.9% of individuals in Harris County are fully vaccinated, 10.0% are partially vaccinated, and 31.3% are unvaccinated.

Mitigating the Impacts of SB8

12/13/2021

In September 2021, legislation banning abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat (SB8) went into effect in Texas. This memo provides background on the legal status of abortions in Texas, an overview of the impact of SB8 in Harris County, and an overview of opportunities to support individuals impacted by the law or otherwise mitigate the law’s negative effects.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, December 2021

12/10/2021

This memo is the eleventh of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Harris County. As of November 30, 2021, 54.4% (2,575,464) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated – a 3.1% increase from October 26, 2021. 

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, November 2021

11/09/2021

This memo is the eleventh of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Harris County. As of October 24, 2021, 54.4% (2,575,464) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated – a 4.2% increase from September 26, 2021.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, October 2021

10/11/2021

This memo is the tenth of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Harris County. As of September 26, 2021, 52.2% (2,471,866) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated – an 8.8% increase from August 30. The demographic with the highest percentage of individuals vaccinated are individuals who identify as Hispanic aged 65-74 (74%). The demographic with the lowest percentage of individuals vaccinated are individuals who identify as Black aged 12-29 (24%)

Update: COVID-19 Vaccination, September 2021

09/14/2021

This memo is the ninth of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccination effort in Harris County. As of August 30, 2021, 48.2% (2,270,241) of individuals in Harris County were fully vaccinated - a 6.6% increase from August 8.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, August 2021

08/24/2021

This memo is the eighth of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of August 8, 2021, 45.2% (2,129,163) of individuals in Harris County residents were fully vaccinated - a 7.7% increase from July. 

Health Coordination Follow-Up

08/04/2021

The Analyst's Office previously identified four public health coordination systems as potential models for improving coordination among Harris County Public Health (HCPH), Harris Health System (HHS), and the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (Harris Center). This memo outlines lessons learned and strengths and weaknesses of the four coordination systems, and provides an overview of each Harris County health-related agencies' support for implementing each system in Harris County.

Update: Annual Deaths in Harris County

07/28/2021

This memo provides an update to the December 2020 annual deaths report by extending the date of analysis from October 2020 to December 2020. This memo reports total annual deaths in Harris County, including the City of Houston, from January 2010 through December 2020 by age, and race and ethnicity. Note: This memo does not include reference to cause of death, and the memo does not include any conclusions from the data.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, July 2021

07/20/2021

This memo is the seventh of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of July 5, 2021, 41.9% (1,975,622) of individuals in Harris County residents were fully vaccinated.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, June 2021

06/29/2021

This memo is the sixth of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of June 13, 2021, 8.6% (403,417) of eligible individuals in Harris County residents were partially vaccinated; and 38.0% (1,790,902) were fully vaccinated.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, May 2021

06/08/2021

This memo is the fifth of a monthly series that provides anoverview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of May 23,2021, 12.8% (445,959) of eligible individuals in Harris County residents werepartially vaccinated; and 33.7% (1,588,752) were fully vaccinated.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, April 2021

05/11/2021

This memo is the fourth of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of April 26, 2021, 17% (603,758) of eligible individuals in Harris County residents were partially vaccinated; and  31% (1,109,143) were fully vaccinated.

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, March 2021

04/07/2021

This memo is the third of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. As of March 29, 2021, 1,020,644 Harris County residents were vaccinated with at least one vaccine dose (29% of Harris County’s eligible population) and 546,051 were fully vaccinated (15% of Harris County’s eligible population).

County Health Coordination Memo

03/19/2021

There are three county health-related agencies in Harris County: Harris County Public Health, Harris Health System,and the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD. Over the course of the last four decades, there have been multiple efforts to improve coordination across these agencies, many of these efforts continue today. This memo provides an analysis of the collaborative arrangements practiced in health-related agencies in six jurisdictions (Bexar County, Dallas County, Galveston County, Travis County, Los Angeles County, and Miami-Dade County), highlights methods to improve cooperation, and provides a legal analysis of the potential consolidation of Harris County’s health-related agencies. 

Update: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, February 2021

03/09/2021

This memo is the second of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. This memo expands on the previous publication (the January COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution memo) by including data relating to COVID-19 testing, cases, and deaths in Harris County, and Commissioner Precinct-level analysis where available.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, January 2021

02/09/2021

This memo is the first of a monthly series that provides an overview of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Harris County. This memo includes data for vaccine doses distributed by all providers in Harris County with doses administered presented by recipient age, gender, race and ethnicity, and zip code, from the start of local distribution on December 14, 2020 through January 31, 2021.

Law Enforcement and First Responder Response to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Calls for Service

07/09/2020

The Commissioners Court requested the Analyst's Office, in partnership with the Justice Administration Department, analyze the feasibility and cost of creating a new county-level program to route 9-1-1 calls for mental health and substance abuse to a non-law enforcement crisis response team. This abridged version of the study includes a background of the existing 9-1-1 responses, agencies, and programs involved with substance abuse and mental health response in Harris County. The final report, led by the Justice Administration Department, is forthcoming.

Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income and Minority Households

05/28/2020

Prior to outbreak of the novel coronavirus low-income and minority communities experienced disproportionate health outcomes such as reduced access to health insurance, reduced access to financial support, increased prevalence of illnesses like diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure—and the current outbreak is compounding existing disadvantages and the social statuses are not distinct. This memo outlines strategies policymakers can adopt to mitigate these impacts.

Inventory of Active COVID-19 Relief Funds Across the US, Review of Best Practices for Relief Funds, and Estimate of the Impact of Proposed Harris County Fund

04/22/2020

The economic fallout related to COVID-19 impacts many Harris County residents and businesses. This memo provides an overview of then-emerging COVID-19 economic relief funds in jurisdictions across the country and offers best practices for establishing a local relief fund. This memo also provides a review of the economic outlook in Harris County as a result of the pandemic, current relief efforts underway, and estimates of the impact of a proposed $15 million Harris County Relief Fund.

Inventory of Policies Implemented in Jurisdictions Across the United States to Address the Developing Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

03/13/2020

The rapid spread of COVID-19 prompted many jurisdictions to enact local policies to prevent transmission of the disease. This memo provides a summary of CDC guidelines and a review of reported advisories, policies, and strategies implemented by other jurisdictions in response to COVID-19.