The Hogg Foundation has launched a statewide learning community of healthcare providers, the latest step in a multi-year initiative to promote integrated health care in Texas. The foundation awarded a $259,092 grant to Mental Health America of Greater Houston (MHA) to develop and coordinate the community network and selected 10 Texas organizations as the first participants.

Integrated health care is gaining recognition in Texas as a viable way to improve people's health by treating physical and behavioral illnesses together. The 81st Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2196 creating a statewide work group to make recommendations on integrating physical and behavioral health care in Texas.

“An ever-increasing body of evidence demonstrates integrated care is effective and could be the future of health care,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the foundation. “It has great potential to provide more personal, responsive care and to deliver better outcomes for consumers and the state’s health care system.”

A person’s physical and mental health is linked. Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease often are accompanied by behavioral ailments such as depression or anxiety. Research has shown that people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder die an average of 25 years earlier than people without these disorders, largely due to challenges and obstacles in receiving medical treatment.

However, most organizations working on this critical issue are doing so in silos, with little sharing of lessons learned. Working in isolation leads to a slower pace of change and can inhibit the spread of effective practices. The foundation is promoting the learning community to accelerate implementation of best practices and identification of policy and financing solutions.

“As national dialogue focuses on healthcare reform, this is a critical time to expand availability and access to health care that takes into account the role mental wellness plays in overall health,” said Betsy Schwartz, MHA president and CEO. “This project is an important piece of the framework needed to develop more effective health care systems that emphasize placing the patient at the center of a mind-body-spirit approach to health and healing,”

Members of the learning community reflect the cultural diversity of Texas and recognize the importance of consumer, youth and family engagement. While they share a common goal of integrating health care, they likely will test different models and strategies to achieve that goal.

They will work together online and in person to share documents, stories, tools and resources they have found useful. Together they can raise questions, discuss issues and identify potential solutions that may work best for communities throughout the state.

Learning Community Participants: