A collaboration with the Episcopal Charities Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas is the basis of the Community Health Information Systems Development. SPH representatives work with the board and committees of the foundation, and community members and organizations, to carry out the technical work of conceptualizing and building the Web-based information system. SPH provides technical assistance in the use and interpretation of the data and available information. Members of the SPH Texas Prevention Center collaborate with the Texas Department of Health in Injury and Tobacco Prevention. The program designs and evaluates new state programs to control tobacco use and prevent diseases related to its use.
SPH implements outreach education courses for employees of local and state health departments.
The courses are developed for presentation using distance learning modalities such as interactive television and the Internet. Mandated by the Texas Legislature the council assists the Texas Department of Health to develop and disseminate interventions to prevent heart disease and stroke, and to control morbidity and disability associated with these diseases. Faculty members are involved in the Houston Health Objectives 2000 Nutrition Committee, a partnership among health providers, food suppliers, government agencies, and educational organizations, to encourage healthier eating habits in the Houston community. Through television, radio and newspaper coverage, the program reaches approximately one million people per year.