April 28, 2025
How the Central Health Policy Council Sparked Momentum for Health Equity Across Travis County
By Arianna Gomez-Lopez, Public Health & Policy Specialist
The Central Health Policy Council gathered in February to discuss and fulfill a key part of its mission: selecting a focused, community-driven campaign to advance health equity over the next two years.
The Council was established in 2015, comprising representatives from over 80 community partners who came together to advocate for innovative clinical and public policies to reduce health disparities for Austin-Travis County residents with incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Since its inception, the Council has successfully implemented various policy initiatives aimed at improving the health of the communities they serve.
After receiving multiple compelling presentations and engaging in hours of thoughtful discussion, council members cast their votes and selected “Food as Medicine” as the official 2025–2026 campaign.
What happened next surpassed expectations.
Even after the final vote, each of the four finalist proposals continued to gain momentum—whether through Council-led advocacy, partner interest, or departmental follow-up. This reaffirmed that the Council is more than just a decision-making body. It’s a launchpad for meaningful systems change across Travis County, where promising ideas can continue to evolve and take root, even beyond the selection process.
A Campaign Grounded in Community Insight
The selection process was the result of over a year of research, community listening, and collaborative design. Led by the Council’s Research Committee, the team consulted key resources—such as the Joint Inclusion Commission Reports, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, and Community Health Assessments—and deepened their findings through Central Health Community Conversations and interviews with local leaders.
Selected Campaign: Food as Medicine
Proponents: Amanda Rohlich (City of Austin, Office of Sustainability) and Dr. MiLinda Zabramba (Central Health)
Food as Medicine focuses on integrating food-based interventions into the healthcare system—such as referrals to food pantries, mobile food programs, and medically tailored meals.
Though rooted in nutrition, the campaign responds to deeper, interconnected challenges. It reduces the burden of food insecurity, supports patients with chronic conditions, and helps bridge longstanding gaps in access—particularly for underserved populations. By connecting food and care, Food as Medicine offers a practical, equity-focused path to better health outcomes in Travis County.
Implementation planning is already underway, with support from Council members and Central Health staff.
A Launchpad for Systems-Level Change
This year’s campaign selection marked a milestone in the Council’s evolution—from a policy-setting forum to a catalyst for community-led transformation. By grounding its work in research, lived experience, and cross-sector collaboration, the Central Health Policy Council continues to advance meaningful progress toward health equity.
This outcome affirms the Council’s strength: when policy is shaped through partnership and rooted in community need, even a single decision can spark lasting, wide-reaching impact.
Proposals That Continue to Move Forward
Though only one campaign could be formally selected, all four finalist proposals have gained traction in the weeks since the vote. In some cases, this has looked like continued interest from Council members or community partners, or integration into other ongoing initiatives. While the Council will move forward with implementing the selected campaign, these developments show that strong ideas don’t end with the vote—they can inform future planning, partnerships, and advocacy efforts across the system.
CLAS Standards Policy
Proponents: Raul Alvarez (Community Advancement Network) and Iván Dávila (Central Health)
This proposal promotes culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) in health care. Since the meeting, it has drawn strong interest—particularly from like-minded partners—and secured initial funding to support next steps.
Maternal Heat Exposure Policy
Proponent: Dr. Desmar Walkes (Austin Public Health)
Addressing the growing health risks of extreme heat for pregnant and lactating women, this proposal was presented to Austin Energy shortly after the meeting. Dr. Walkes advocated for the inclusion of pregnant women on the list of medically vulnerable customers—a change now under city review.
Older Adult-Friendly Healthcare Policy
Proponent: Sharon Ricks (Dell Medical School)
This proposal aims to improve health care access and quality for older adults. A new connection made during the Council meeting—with the Chair of the City of Austin Commission on Aging’s Health Committee—has opened the door to collaboration under the city’s Age-Friendly initiative. UT Health Houston has decided to move forward as one of the first clinic systems in Texas with this accreditation.