Health and Health Equity
The Center is committed to research and collaborations to improve health and health equity in our communities.
In 2019, the Center began research on the role of health care and health in Houston’s economy. We conducted roundtable discussions, workshops, surveys, and interviews with experts. The result, a 2020 research paper, featured a range of findings, including that Houston has a “paradox of plenty” with world-class health care institutions alongside some of nation’s worst health outcomes; and that Houston is poised to become a leader in life science technology innovations.
Houston’s Future: AI in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence is reshaping Houston’s healthcare landscape. Our 2024 report, “Houston’s Future: AI in Healthcare,” explores how the city’s renowned medical institutions and diverse population position it to lead in AI-driven innovations. We examine current applications in diagnostics, personalized treatments, and patient care optimization, while addressing critical challenges like ensuring algorithmic fairness to prevent exacerbating health disparities. The report offers strategic recommendations for healthcare leaders to foster collaboration, establish robust data infrastructure, and prioritize equity in AI implementation. By embracing AI thoughtfully, Houston can improve health outcomes, enhance medical professionals’ satisfaction, and establish itself as a national beacon of innovation in healthcare technology.
Houston's Future: Climate Change and Health Care
In 2024, we explore the critical intersection of climate change and health care in this report that highlights escalating health threats, from heatstroke to mosquito-borne illness, that our region faces due to climate change and includes a series of recommendations to address these challenges. Health care leaders are on the front lines of treating these health issues and addressing the sectors contribution to GHG emissions. Collaboration within and among health systems is vital to safeguarding the health of Houston’s families against the backdrop of an evolving climate landscape.
Houston’s Economic Future: Health Care, 2022 Report
In 2022, we released an update to our 2020 report, Houston’s Economic Future: Health Care, looking at regional trends in the wake of COVID-19. The report’s economic modeling suggests developing the region’s life sciences industries and health care workforce will yield major long-term benefits for Greater Houston’s economy, among other findings.
Social Determinants of Health Impacting Maternal Health
In 2021, we focused on the state of maternal health as a key indicator of any health system and looked at non-medical drivers of health, which are estimated to drive 70% of outcomes. With our report, Social Determinants of Health Impacting Maternal Health, we identified opportunities for the business community to partner with health and community service providers to improve maternal health outcomes in our region.
Houston’s Economic Future: Health Care, 2020 Report
The Center began research on the role of health care and health in Houston’s economy in 2019. We conducted roundtable discussions, workshops, surveys, and interviews with experts. The result, a 2020 research paper, featured a range of findings, including that Houston has a “paradox of plenty” with world-class health care institutions alongside some of the nation’s worst health outcomes.
