What are the key goals of Texas public health policy?

The primary goals of Texas public health policy center on improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in healthcare access and quality. This focus is essential because it addresses the significant variations in health status and healthcare availability across different populations, particularly vulnerable groups such as low-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities, and rural residents. By aiming to enhance health outcomes, public health policies are designed to promote overall wellness, prevent disease, and improve the quality of life for Texans.

Reducing disparities is a critical component, as it ensures that all individuals have equitable access to healthcare resources, education, and services, ultimately leading to a healthier population. Such policies often involve initiatives that target specific health issues prevalent in underserved communities, implement preventive health programs, and enhance public awareness of health resources available.

Other options, while important in different contexts, do not align with the primary objectives of public health policy. Increasing state employment rates and supporting private healthcare companies focus more on economic factors rather than directly addressing health outcomes. Strengthening the state's infrastructure is also crucial but typically relates to broader governmental responsibilities, which can include but is not limited to public health. Therefore, the focus on health outcomes and disparity reduction serves as the cornerstone of effective public health strategies in Texas.