Community Health Education

In order to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce health risks, the Harris County Hospital District provides a wide variety of health education programs. The programs are designed to meet the needs of patients and community members throughout the stages of life. They include classes to prepare families for childbirth and parenting, classes for teens on sexuality, safety classes for senior citizens, smoking cessation, cardiovascular health, men's health, women's health, teen health, physical fitness, mental health, and sexual health.

Health promotion classes are provided throughout the community. Class locations include community health centers, neighborhood centers, schools, community groups and HCHD hospitals. Health education classes are designed to help individuals achieve healthier lifestyles through enhanced knowledge of healthy behaviors and reduction of health risk factors.

Classes are offered in English, Spanish and Vietnamese and are open to patients, family, friends and the Harris County community.

A health educator is assigned to each HCHD facility and its surrounding community. This educator is responsible for the structured classes at the center as well as outreach classes in the community.

An outreach educator is assigned to target areas of uninsured/underinsured individuals and families throughout Harris County. This educator teaches health promotion classes in the community as well as teams with eligibility services to improve access to the district.

In addition, both educators participate in community health fairs and collaborate with other community agencies to jointly promote health-education projects.

This program also provides health information literature in both English and Spanish. Brochures are available upon request for HCHD patients and health class participants.

For more information, contact the Community Health Education Information Line at 713-566-6064.