The latest Department of State Health Services news from The Texas Tribune.
Amid a recent increase in suicides among military veterans, Texas lawmakers are looking at ways to address mental health challenges for veterans as they return home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Full Story
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Texas has a severe shortage of mental health professionals, according to the federal government. This interactive map provides information on state-funded mental health care statewide. Full Story
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In the last two weeks, the number of reported 2012 cases of the West Nile virus has nearly doubled, and the death toll rose to 30 in Texas. This interactive shows the number of reported cases by county. Full Story
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Here's a visual perspective of reproductive health issues in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the country's poorest areas. This year, the issue of public financing for contraceptives and cancer screenings has often become intertwined with the controversy surrounding abortion. Full Story
State officials are reporting more than 380 human cases of the West Nile virus in Texas so far this year — and no region has been harder hit than North Texas. Here’s an interactive look at reported West Nile cases and deaths by county. Full Story
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Use our interactive map to chart the locations of health care providers participating in Texas' Women's Health Program. Flip through various map styles to compare women's health statistics statewide, or get a video tutorial here. Full Story
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From the evolution of state and federally subsidized contraception to the battle over Planned Parenthood to the cost of unplanned pregnancies, this six-part series is the most comprehensive look yet at the politics of reproductive health in Texas. Full Story
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Officials said Wednesday at a state Senate committee hearing that Texas' mental health system remains underfunded and that waits for care are getting longer for many in the state. Full Story
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Health care providers are lacking across the vast expanses of rural Texas, and the problem could be worsening. The Tribune created an interactive map to illustrate just how few physicians there are in some parts of the state. Full Story
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Part of an HBO documentary series on obesity was screened Monday in Austin. Comptroller Susan Combs, who appears in the series, emphasized at the screening that parents need to take charge of their children's health. Full Story
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UPDATED: Texas health officials have delivered their much-anticipated plans for taking over the Medicaid Women's Health Program. They want to assume full responsibility in November. Federal officials say they're considering the plan. Full Story
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Lawmakers and health care advocates gathered today to kick off the state's first annual Minority Cancer Awareness Month, designated in the last legislative session to bring awareness to racial disparities in cancer survival. Full Story
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If the Supreme Court upholds the Affordable Care Act, Texas may see a surge in newly insured patients seeking primary care. As this interactive of primary-care workforce shortages from 2001 to 2011 shows, the number of physicians in your county isn't likely to keep up with demand. Full Story
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Texas women’s reproductive rights have drawn attention lately over the federal government's decision to cut funding for the state’s Women’s Health Program. Use this interactive to see just how many pregnancies, births and abortions occur across the Lone Star State. Full Story
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The number of family-planning contractors statewide continues to drop in the face of dwindling state funds. Use this interactive map to see which family-planning clinics received funding in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Full Story
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The Department of State Health Services will begin enforcing Texas' abortion sonogram law, after releasing guidelines for women's health clinics on Monday night. Full Story
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Abortion opponents say they're disappointed by Susan G. Komen for the Cure's decision to reverse its policy of prohibiting grants to Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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Legislators and abortion opponents cheered the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's original decision to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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A judge's expected ruling forcing the state to find room to treat mentally ill inmates is sending officials in search of space at already-full mental hospitals. Full Story
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American Medical Association President Peter Carmel and Texas Medical Association President Bruce Malone on the Medicare cuts that physicians face, Texas' legal challenge to federal health reform and efforts to slash funding for Planned Parenthood. Full Story
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