Despite significant work across Travis County over the last year, the number of overdose deaths increased 35 percent and the number of fentanyl-related overdose deaths climbed 108 percent. That number has increased tenfold since 2019 and has doubled since last year’s report, when the county declared a public health crisis. Representatives from the county, the […]
Public Health
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City may help Travis County with mental illness and substance use disorder pilot
The Travis County Commissioners Court approved a resolution last month to create a diversion center for people with substance abuse disorders and other mental health issues, who would otherwise end up in the county jail. On Thursday, City Council approved a resolution directing the city manager to look into “the feasibility of an interlocal agreement” […]
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Sobering center may seek expanded role
The Austin-Travis County Sobering Center, currently in its fifth year of operations, has served more than 8,000 people, according to Jana Ortega, chair of the center’s board of directors. Ortega and Executive Director Laura Elmore addressed City Council at Tuesday’s work session, laying out its current work and possible expansion of its services. The center […]
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Dell Seton Medical Center will get a $280 million expansion
Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas is set to get a major expansion to the tune of $280 million, the facility’s parent hospital system Ascension Seton announced Monday. The expansion will add 150 beds and more than 160,000 square feet to Dell Seton. Four new floors will be added to the top […]
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County greenlights long-awaited performance audit of Central Health
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court greenlit a long-awaited independent performance audit with auditing firm Mazars for $854,200. The audit will examine how Central Health has used taxpayer money, with a close eye on the controversial, taxpayer-funded allocation of $35 million per year to Dell Medical School, which began dispensing in 2014 and has […]
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Central Health demographic report finds ‘no escape’ from regional cost-of-living crisis
Austin’s cost-of-living crisis has spread into a regional issue impacting Travis and surrounding counties, according to Central Health’s 2022 Demographic Report. The report, key findings of which Central Health staff discussed in a community conservation last week, found that Austin remains a key access point for health care, affordable housing, public transportation, and social services […]
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A new report says Austin allergies aren’t that bad. Locals beg to differ.
For folks moving to Austin, experiencing the first brush with cedar fever is practically a rite of passage. Griping about allergies is a sacred activity that unites the newbies with folks born-and-raised in Austin. So when a report was released this month that boldly declared Austin’s allergies aren’t that bad compared to other cities, it […]
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Austin Public Health offers $50 gift cards for COVID vaccinations and boosters
Anyone who gets a Covid-19 vaccine or booster shot at an Austin Public Health vaccination event will be eligible to receive a $50 Visa gift card, the agency said Monday. APH said it hopes the incentive will be helpful to people who would have to take unpaid time off from work to get vaccinated. The agency […]
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New forecast modeling puts Austin homeless population near 4,600
New methods for counting and forecasting by one of Austin’s leading homelessness services organizations suggests nearly 4,600 people are experiencing homelessness in the city, far higher than previous estimates and counts using federal guidelines. The new figure was revealed at last week’s Downtown Commission meeting in a report from Dianna Grey, the city’s homeless strategy […]
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Salvation Army changes course on timing of downtown shelter closure after Council pressure
After a week of pressure from Mayor Kirk Watson, members of City Council and community activists, the Salvation Army announced Friday it would extend operations at its downtown shelter through April 30. The extension is being funded by the city of Austin and is intended to allow time for the nonprofit to connect residents to […]
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County pays tribute to joint vaccination efforts during pandemic
On Tuesday, the Travis County Commissioners Court recognized the departments and organizations whose efforts were crucial in the county’s emergency response at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. “A dedicated group of public and private partners, including a cross section of community-minded, elected and appointed officials, and staff from internal county departments, as well as […]
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Homeless Austinites report conditions improving at shelters
Results from a recent client survey indicate that the new operator of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless is making progress in efforts to turn around the downtown men’s shelter. The December survey of ARCH and Southbridge shelter residents found that strong majorities feel safe, that their needs are being met, and that staff […]