March 12, 2025
Updated report to guide strategic plan and ongoing clinical service expansion
AUSTIN, Texas – Central Health today released its 2024 Demographic Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of the population trends, health care needs, and social service needs among Travis County residents with low-income who are uninsured.
The report will inform Central Health’s clinical service expansion and strategic planning while serving as a foundational resource for community partners and policymakers in Central Texas.
“As the public hospital district for Travis County, our mission is to ensure quality health care for those who need it most,” said VP of Strategy JP Eichmiller. “This report represents our most advanced and data-driven analysis yet, equipping us and our partners with the information needed to make informed decisions that will improve community health outcomes.”
The 2024 Demographic Report builds upon Central Health’s commitment to data-driven decision-making. Since the first demographic report in 2015, Central Health has continually refined its methodologies, incorporating more precise geographic analyses, more sophisticated statistical modeling, and a clearer understanding of the factors shaping health disparities.
The report’s findings reinforce four themes:
- Your background impacts your health. Disparities in race, ethnicity, and economic factors are reflected in the diagnosis of chronic conditions.
- Where you live impacts your health. Poverty is shifting, with growing needs in East and West Travis County.
- Clinical service growth is meeting needs. Expansions in both Central Health direct practice and network providers increased capacity. Service utilization reached record highs.
- Understanding implications and opportunities. Data-driven planning is essential for equitable health care.
Key Findings from the 2024 Demographic Report
“The findings in our Demographic Report are a call to action to address the evolving health care needs of our community,” said Central Health President & CEO Pat Lee, MD. “This in-depth analysis provides a better understanding of the barriers and disparities our patients face, which empowers Central Health to strategically expand services where they are needed most. By doing so, we improve overall health outcomes, prevent premature deaths, and confront the injustice of life expectancy gaps affecting communities of color, unhoused individuals, and lower-income residents. While the report is full of data and numbers, it all boils down to providing the best possible care for every single person we serve.”
Regional Assessment: Growth, Economic Pressures, and Health Care Access
Travis County remains one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country. While income levels have risen, so has the cost of living. The end of COVID 19-related Medicaid policies resulted in more than two million Texans losing coverage, impacting the most vulnerable populations. Central Health’s coverage programs, including the Medical Access Program (MAP) and MAP Basic, help low-income people access vital care.
Poverty and Focus Areas: Where Need is Growing
- As of 2024, 7.4% of Travis County families live in poverty, with projections estimating an additional 1,777 families falling below the poverty line by 2029.
- Nine focus areas have the highest projected poverty rates by 2029, primarily concentrated along the I-35 corridor.
- Poverty trends indicate a growing shift toward East and West Travis County, reinforcing the need for expanded health care infrastructure in these regions.
Chronic Conditions and Health Disparities
- The report provides an expanded analysis of the 10 most common and preventable chronic conditions affecting Central Health’s patient population. The top five conditions are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Behavioral health disorders
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Certain focus areas experience disproportionately high rates of chronic conditions, highlighting the need for geographically targeted interventions.
- Racial and ethnic disparities significantly impact health outcomes for enrollees with chronic conditions, and Black enrollees are at higher risk for a majority of these conditions.
- Higher-risk groups, including homeless individuals and those with substance use disorders, face compounded health challenges.
Expanding the Provider Network
- Central Health’s provider network has increased 390% since 2013.
- The Central Health network includes 172 provider locations across Travis County.
- Major hospital expansions and new facilities, including the UT Austin Medical Center and multiple specialty hospitals, increase capacity and reduce patient travel distances for care.
Enrollment and Health Care Utilization Trends
- MAP, MAP Basic, and the Central Health Assistance Program (CHAP) ensure access to care for a growing number of enrollees.
- Over 60% of enrollees utilize health services annually, but many rely on emergency departments due to limited access to primary care in high-poverty areas.
Special Populations: Addressing Complex Health Needs
- Homeless individuals and high-risk patients in the Central Health CHAP Expansion Program remain populations of focus.
- A growing need for integrated behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment necessitates expanded mental health resources.
By integrating these insights into its Strategic Plan, Central Health is ensuring that resources are allocated where they are needed most, and that future expansion efforts are data-driven and equitable.
“This report is more than just numbers—it’s a strategic planning tool that will help us and our partners make the best decisions for the health and well-being of our community,” said Board of Managers Chair Ann Kitchen. “We invite health care providers, policymakers, and community organizations to use this report as a resource in their own planning efforts.”
To view the full 2024 Demographic Report and learn more about Central Health’s strategic initiatives, visit https://www.centralhealth.net/newsroom/2024-demographic-report.