Austin unveiled its first Trauma Recovery Center focused on mental health for crime survivors, enhanced newborn care with the Family Connects program, and maintained food safety with over 10,000 inspections.

Emancipet in Austin is set to open a new low-cost dental and surgical vet clinic, aiming to provide affordable dentistry and surgeries to underserved pet owners.

The Texas House is reviewing a bill to ban all tobacco products on college campuses, with supporters citing health concerns and the history of the U.S. surgeon general's anti-smoking efforts.

Texas is extending Medicaid and CHIP postpartum coverage from two months to one year, effective March 1, 2024, as announced by Governor Abbott and HHSC.

Austin celebrated the 2024 National Day of Racial Healing with discussions on race and mental health, in collaboration with the Austin Justice Coalition and Hogg Foundation.

Austin startup Otherweb has launched an app that customizes news feeds and educates users on content quality, while MindBar offers affordable mental health resources via video classes and worksheets.

The Pflugerville Public Library introduced a nursing pod to provide privacy for breastfeeding mothers, responding to community needs for a dedicated space.

Texas recovered over $200 million from Medicaid fraud in 2023 through Attorney General Ken Paxton's office investigations, with 79 indictments and 61 convictions.

St. David's Round Rock Medical Center completed its $53.1 million expansion, marking 40 years of service with a new tower and 34-bed care unit, reflecting significant investment in Central Texas healthcare.

Central Health in Austin is battling increasing poverty and healthcare disparities, with strategic efforts underway to improve access and services.

US women are increasingly obtaining abortion pills in advance, with demand spiking around key legal developments regarding abortion rights, according to studies.

The U.S. faces a rise in respiratory illnesses post-holidays, with a spike in COVID-19 cases attributed to the JN.1 variant. However, experts note hospitalizations and deaths, though increasing, are not at previous surge levels.

Central Texas's We Are Blood faces a severe shortage of Type O blood and platelets and urges residents to donate, highlighting the inclusion of more LGBTQ+ donors under revised FDA guidelines.