HCPH urges community members to prepare, June 1-November 30 HOUSTON – With the start of the 2025 hurricane season, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is encouraging all community members to take proactive steps to prepare for severe weather and potential public health impacts. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and early planning is crucial for ensuring safety, well-being, and a smooth recovery. HCPH emphasizes the importance of creating a personal emergency plan, especially […]
Harris County
The Heat is Rising – So Is the Risk: Stay Cool, Stay Safe, Harris County!
Harris County Public Health urges community members to take simple but life-saving steps to prevent heat-related illnesses during the hottest months of the year HOUSTON – With the arrival of summer, warmer temperatures often mean more time spent outdoors—whether it’s enjoying family gatherings, exercising, or heading out on vacation. But as outdoor activities and travel plans ramp up, so do the risks associated with extreme heat. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) urges community members to take extra […]
Mosquito Season is in Full Swing!
It’s National Mosquito Control Awareness Week – Protect Yourself Against Mosquito Bites! Harris County residents have been hearing the buzzing and have been scratching from bites for weeks. This is because of increased mosquito activity. You may not realize however, that many mosquitoes come from around your own homes. National Mosquito Control Awareness Week, observed from June 18 – 24, 2023, is a good time to remember that all mosquitoes require water to breed. Therefore, […]
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Releases Annual Healthy County Report
Harris County ranked 31st of 244 ranked counties in Texas, up three spots from 2022 report The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute released its annual County Health Rankings Report, which evaluates the civic health and health equity progress of counties across the United States. Harris County is ranked 31st out of 244 ranked counties across Texas in 2023 – up from 34th in 2022. The report examines the efficiency of U.S. counties to resource civic infrastructure and […]
City of Houston and Harris County Statements on EPA Order for Union Pacific Contamination Cleanup
The City of Houston and Harris County are pleased to report that the U.S Environmental Protection Agency has issued an order to Union Pacific Railroad providing that EPA will oversee the offsite investigative and cleanup process related to the creosote contamination in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens. This order is the result of efforts that have been and continue to be pushed forward by the City of Houston, Harris County, and the Bayou City […]
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo Heads to Washington for Dinner at The White House
Hidalgo to Attend President Joe Biden’s First State Dinner Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is headed to Washington for President Joe Biden’s first State Dinner honoring French President Emmanuel Macron. This is not her first invitation to the White House. Hidalgo participated in a roundtable discussion led by President Biden to discuss state and local action on abortion rights in D.C. the day after the nation’s most extreme abortion law went into effect in Texas […]
Animal Welfare Organizations Come Together to Provide Services for Pet Owners at Pet Resource Fair
Harris County Public Health and Harris County Precinct 1 Announce Communitywide Collaboration of Local Shelters and Animal Welfare Organizations at James Driver Park! Owned pets residing in the City of Houston and Harris County can benefit from free cat and dog vaccinations, free microchipping, pet food pantry, and more on a first-come-first-served basis at the Pet Resource Fair this Saturday, September 24. The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at James Driver Park, located at […]
Judge Hidalgo Emphasizes the Importance of Adopting Proposed Budget That Would Reduce the Tax Rate for Homeowners and Increase Pay for Law Enforcement
County Judge Lina Hidalgo held a press conference today, highlighting important investments included in the proposed Harris County budget ahead of Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting. Daniel Ramos, Executive Director of the Harris County Office of Management and Budget, Dr. Tina Peterson, Executive Director of the Flood Control District, and Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, President and CEO of Harris Health System, also provided additional details about critical budget needs. Harris County’s proposed $1.4B justice and safety budget […]
Harris County Expands Vaccine Eligibility as Monkeypox Cases Continue to Spread
Judge Lina Hidalgo today announced Houston/Harris County will expand eligibility criteria to include HIV+ individuals and those diagnosed with Chlamydia. Previously, vaccines were available to individuals in direct contact with someone who had contracted Monkeypox, attended an event where there was a high risk of exposure, were currently on PrEP medication, or diagnosed with gonorrhea or early syphilis within the past three months. “The most powerful tool is prevention, and we accomplish that through vaccination […]
Judge Hidalgo Announces Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids Initiative
A Historic $84 Million Investment of American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA) Funds Judge Lina Hidalgo shared evidence-based strategies as the cornerstone of an $84 million investment in Harris County children and families. The Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids was announced in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Judge Hidalgo along with Commissioner Ellis, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congressmember Al Green, and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher announced the $84 million initiative at the Children’s Museum […]