Central Health Policy Council
Established in 2015, the Central Health Policy Council brings dedicated community partners together to address health disparities. These committee members strive to implement clinical and public policies to improve health care for Travis County residents living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Since its founding, the Council has led several initiatives that have strengthened the health and well-being of our community. Initiatives like:
- The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) Initiative to promote inclusive and affirming health care for LGBTQIA+ individuals, which led to 77 safety net clinics in the area achieving HEI designation
- The HIV Opt-Out Screening Policy campaign, which resulted in HIV testing rates 64% higher than the state average and 84% higher than the national average
- The Language Access Efforts campaign, which collaborated with city and county agencies to provide emergency alerts in Spanish as well as English
These accomplishments represent big wins for health care in Travis County, but there’s always more work to be done.
2025 Policy Campaign: Food as Medicine
On February 25, 2025, the Council selected Food as Medicine as its 2025 policy campaign. This community-driven initiative aims to integrate nutrition-based interventions into the healthcare system—recognizing food as a critical part of patient care.
By screening for food insecurity, connecting individuals to food resources, and embedding support into electronic health records (EHRs), this campaign seeks to improve health outcomes and support whole-person care.
If you’re interested in being a part of Food as Medicine, whether in a research, strategic planning, or event planning position, there’s a place for you on the Council.
Campaign committees:
- Research Committee: Support data gathering and evidence-based policy development
- Strategic Planning Committee: Shape the roadmap for implementation and sustainability
- Communications & Event Planning Committee: Lead engagement and outreach efforts
- Evaluation Committee: Shape the evaluation framework and determine metrics of success for this campaign.
Ongoing engagement
In addition to its annual campaign, the Council supports the long-term work of two standing committees focused on addressing gaps in care and building systems that meet the needs of all residents:
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Pandemic Committee
Formed in 2020, this committee partners with local agencies to improve outcomes for historically underserved populations. Ongoing efforts include enhancing language access and ensuring public health responses reflect the needs of diverse communities.
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Race Committee
This committee provides guidance to ensure Council initiatives are informed by lived experience and align with best practices in addressing racial and cultural disparities. One of its key accomplishments was the development of a policy and advocacy toolkit to support more inclusive services across Travis County. The committee remains active in guiding current initiatives.
Notable initiatives & achievements
Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) Initiative
Launched in 2022, the Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) Initiative was a collaborative effort to promote inclusive and affirming health care for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Travis County. Led by the Council’s HEI Committee, the initiative brought together Central Health, CommUnityCare, and Integral Care to pursue national HEI designation.
The HEI is the leading national benchmarking tool evaluating health care facilities on policies and practices related to LGBTQIA+ patients, visitors, and staff. The committee supported participating providers in meeting HEI standards, developing strategic plans, and reaching key milestones to strengthen inclusive care practices.
HIV Opt-out Policy
The Council promoted the expansion of opt-out HIV screening at local clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). An analysis from the LBJ School of Public Affairs showed the policy led to earlier diagnoses and improved outcomes, all at minimal additional cost—laying the groundwork for broader implementation across the safety-net system.
HIV screening rates for MAP and MAP Basic patients in Travis County were found at rates 64% higher than the state average and 84% greater than the national average.
Language access efforts
Limited English proficiency presents a major barrier to accessing services, especially during public health emergencies. The Pandemic Committee collaborated with city and county agencies to identify solutions and improve language access, ensuring critical information reaches all members of the community.
Race and Ethnicity Equity Policy Toolkit
Limited English proficiency presents a major barrier to accessing services, especially during public health emergencies. The Pandemic Committee collaborated with city and county agencies to identify solutions and improve language access, ensuring critical information reaches all members of the community.
Austin breathes vape-free air
In 2017, the Council successfully advocated for an amendment to the City of Austin’s Smoking in Public Places Ordinance (SIPPO) to include e-cigarettes. This public health win expanded protections in restaurants, bars, parks, and other public spaces, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and promoting healthier environments for all.
Learn moreRecess policy: access to unconstructive playtime
To support healthy childhood development, the Council launched a policy initiative in 2017 advocating for increased recess time in low-income schools. In partnership with the Manor and Leander ISDs, the initiative helped establish a policy ensuring at least 30 minutes of supervised, unstructured playtime each day for elementary students.
Learn more