Case Study

Health Authorities in Texas

Health authorities help protect the health of children, families and communities by monitoring and responding to conditions that may affect the public’s health, including reportable diseases, suspected outbreaks, animal exposures, environmental hazards and other urgent health concerns. 

For Texas Health Steps providers and their staff members, knowing the role and responsibility of your local health authority is an important part of patient care because a single child’s illness or exposure can signal a broader risk to classmates, families or the community. 

For each of the following situations, decide whether you should contact your local health authority.

Select one answer and use the Submit button to check your response.

A 6-year-old child comes to your clinic after being scratched by a bat found on the school playground. The wound broke the child’s skin, and the bat flew away and is not available for testing. Should you report the injury to the local health authority? 

Select one answer and use the Submit button to check your response.

A 7-year-old patient comes to your clinic with a high fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and a rash that began on the face and spread downward. The parent reports that the child is not immunized against measles and recently attended a large community event. Should you notify the local health authority?

Select one answer and use the Submit button to check your response.

You are seeing a new 10-year-old patient for a Texas Health Steps preventive medical checkup. While providing the child’s medical history, the parent reports that the family was evacuated from their home because of a wildfire and is living in temporary housing. Should you notify the local health authority about this family’s situation?

Select one answer and use the Submit button to check your response.

Your 14-year-old patient sustained a concussion while playing soccer. Three days after the injury she is experiencing headache and sensitivity to light. She has not yet returned to school or soccer practice. Should you report this injury to the local health authority?

Select one answer and use the Submit button to check your response.

A 16-year-old patient comes to your clinic with bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps after attending a birthday party at a local restaurant. Stool testing identifies Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. Should you report the illness to the local health authority?

Why it Matters

Health authorities work closely with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to enforce state and local laws that protect and ensure public health. Texas Health Steps providers and other health care professionals can find out who serves as health authority for their community by contacting the county judge or city manager, the local public health entity or the DSHS regional medical director. Timely communication with health care providers allows public health officials to provide guidance, support investigation and reporting, recommend prevention and control measures, and help limit the spread of disease or other health threats.

Learn more about the role and responsibilities of local health authorities by taking our free CME course Health Authorities in Texas.