Current Research (August 2009)
Below is a list of the various research projects sponsored by the Collaborative. For Powerpoint presentations on some of these projects, please click here.
Use of Hospital Emergency Rooms (ERs) in Houston Area Hospitals
Description: This is an annual survey of hospital emergency room visits in Houston area hospitals. The first survey was conducted in 2003. In recent years the study has included approximately two thirds of the hospital based ERs that serve the Houston 911 service area.
Participants: Gateway to Care, Harris County Healthcare Alliance, UT School of Public Health, participating hospitals.
Current Outline/Report: Houston Hospitals ER Utilization Study - Visits in 2007
Review of Houston Healthcare Safety Net Progress And Challenges
Description: Present data on indicators of safety net need, capacity, and performance. Describe new initiatives, activities, and subsequent unaddressed issues that have occurred since 2004. Describe current views of the findings, evidence, and recommendations of the Harris County Public Health Task Force Report with regard to access and coverage, service delivery, financing and cost.
Participants: Harris County Healthcare Alliance, UT School of Public Health, Gateway to Care, St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities, Mayor's Office of Health and Environmental Policy, Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County
Current Outline/Report: Safety Net - First Year Report
Trends in Preventable Hospitalizations in Harris County
Description: The objectives of this study are to examine trends in the overall and disease-specific rates of preventable hospitalizations (PH) in Harris County from 2003-2007, as well as changes in and the persistence of the individual and geographic characteristics of those with PH admissions.
Participants: UT School of Public Health
Current Outline/Report: Trends in Preventable Hospitalizations
Estimation and Forecasting of the Uninsured in Houston
Description: Estimate the current number and rate of the uninsured population in Houston, Texas, at the sub-county (e.g., ZIP Code, census tract) level over a three year period. Project the estimated numbers and rates of the uninsured population in Houston, Texas, at the sub-county level, to the year 2020.
Participants: UT School of Public Health, State Demographer of Texas
Current Outline/Report: Estimation and Forecasting of the Uninsured in Houston
Primary Care Demand and Supply in Harris County
Description: Estimate the demand for primary care among the low-income, uninsured population in Houston/Harris County area. Measure the supply of primary care of safety net providers in Houston/Harris County area. Estimate the gap between demand for and supply of primary care for the low income, uninsured population in Houston/Harris County.
Participants: St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities, UT School of Public Health
Current Outline/Report: Primary Care Demand and Supply
