Texas Department of State Health Services

Among other things, the Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee is tasked with developing new dietary and nutrition guidelines and new educational requirements. The committee has less than a year to produce a report that could effect all levels of education — including Texas medical schools.

About 40% of patients in Texas state hospitals have been admitted for more than a year, according to state data shared Wednesday. Long stays can mean people have to wait longer for mental and behavioral health services.

Justices will have to decide who has the final say on whether delta-8 THC is legal: the Texas Legislature or the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The Department of State Health Services is considering new rules for the Texas hemp industry that would require child-resistant packaging, stronger warning labels, sharply higher fees and effectively ban smokeable flower and extracts.

Dallas is the second Texas county to sue over public health cuts after a judge ordered the Trump administration to return $20 million to Harris County last summer.

This year’s respiratory virus season comes with some unique challenges. Experts and providers say they’re worried about how misinformation and confusion about new federal COVID-19 vaccine recommendations will affect vaccination rates, which could lead to more infections and severe health outcomes.

Researchers hope data out of Texas will raise awareness about a type of infection commonly spread through kissing bugs. It’s part of an effort to recognize Chagas Disease as endemic in the U.S.

About 500 Texans, mostly young unvaccinated children, have contracted the disease. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the West Texas town that has been the epicenter of the outbreak.

Public health departments relied on COVID funding to expand testing, lab and vaccination capabilities. Local health leaders say the federal government's clawback of $11.4 billion will undermine that growth.

Rockwall County Health Authority Dr. Dirk Perritt announced a measles case in an adult resident Wednesday. It's the first confirmed case in North Texas.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has described the biannual immunization conference as a "vital platform" that in the past drew strong participation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The request, which includes hiring more staff and updating the online application system, comes as applicants must wait for months to receive approval for benefits.