Health of Texas Data seeks clearer picture of health care needs across state 

Published: August 28, 2025

Health of Texas, led by team members from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, has three elements: Health of Texas Community, Health of Texas Data, and Health of Texas Horizon. 

When it comes to understanding health needs in the nation’s second-biggest state, it’s difficult to see the complete picture, especially when there are so many sources of information about health. Health of Texas Data aims to put the puzzle pieces together by connecting to Health of Texas Community participants’ health care information. 

“One of the new things we want to do?in the Health of Texas program?is really bring together and supplement?the information we already have with new?and additional information?that can help us better understand?health care and the health status of Texans,” said Cecilia Ganduglia Cazaban, MD, DrPH, director of the Center for Health Care Data at the school of public health. 

In September 2021, the Texas Legislature passed a health care transparency law that established the Texas All-Payor Claims Database (APCD). This database collects health care claims from private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, including medical, pharmacy, and dental claims — plus eligibility and provider files. The goal of the database is to improve the overall health of Texans by understanding the cost and quality of the health care they receive. 

Health of Texas Data hopes to leverage the database by connecting participants’ surveys with their already available health information. This bridge will help better understand and address health needs across the state.  

Being part of Health of Texas Data is simple, secure and requires no additional time or effort from participants. 

“It will not affect your insurance?and it will not affect?how you interact with your physician?or how your physician will treat you,” said Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, dean of the school of public health. “Data from Health of Texas?stays within the program.?We do not provide?Health of Texas data to your physician,?and we do not provide the data?to your insurance company.” 

“My biggest hope for Health of Texas?program is really for it to grow and become the go-to source of information?for better understanding the health?of our Texas population?and the opportunities?for improving that health and the overall?well-being of Texans,” Ganduglia said. 

Watch a video about Health of Texas Data at https://go.uth.edu/AboutData. Contact the Health of Texas team by leaving a message on a secure voicemail at 713-500-9441 or by emailing [email protected]. Follow Health of Texas on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.