Survey finds chronic disease burden, economic challenges in South Central Texas

In South Central Texas, people in Bexar County and the surrounding rural areas face many of the same challenges experienced by other areas hardest hit by chronic disease and other pressing health needs, as well as economic concerns. Researchers from the Texas CEAL Regional Team wanted to understand more about the chronic disease burden in their community; what challenges people faced in the ability to access medical care, healthy foods, and physical activity; and which resources could help. 

True to the mission of CEAL, the research team at the University of Texas Health San Antonio Department of Family and Community Medicine joined forces with a coalition of 17 trusted community partners representing a range of nonprofits, rural hospital systems and health centers, and other community resource providers. Starting with the CEAL Common Survey, a survey produced for all CEAL teams to administer in their environments, the partners first contributed by adding questions regarding known local priorities and concerns. Then the partners distributed the surveys to their communities, receiving 685 responses over a three-month period. 

The research team’s findings

The team found that the respondents from Bexar County and neighboring rural areas faced a significant burden of chronic disease: About 70% of the respondents reported having at least one long-term health problem, and more than one-third indicated having at least three. High blood pressure and high cholesterol were the most common conditions. Diabetes was also more common (at 16.5%) than at the national level (at 11.6%). 

At the same time, the respondents faced a host of socioeconomic challenges. For example, more than one-third reported delaying medical care at least sometimes due to financial concerns. More than a third said they worried about running out of food in their homes. Such challenges can impact people’s ability to take charge of their health and manage their conditions. 

The evidence-informed opportunities

The insights gathered from the survey have already begun to help the CEAL team and its partners understand where efforts to assist are best placed. For instance:

• The partner organizations have used the information for local benefit, including tailoring outreach and informing applications for grants to address some of the concerns identified, and can advocate for community needs.
• Partners can leverage and build on the trust they have built within the communities to connect people with needed resources, including important health information.
• The Texas CEAL Regional Team plans to use the learnings gained from the community to increase awareness and connection to key resources.

Addressing the interconnected issues of health and socioeconomic challenges will take efforts that extend beyond the clinical setting. Having solid data on the realities and needs of the community is a step towards connecting residents to the health and social resources that are needed most.

Link to article: Chronic Disease Burden and Social Determinants of Health in South-Central Texas: Findings from the South-Central Texas Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) in the Post-Pandemic Period | Published in Texas Family Medicine Research Journal