Central Health, in partnership with the Austin Area Research Organization, has released a new white paper entitled Health and Health Care Trends & Innovations in Central Texas, which asks and answers the question: Why care about health and health care in Central Texas?  According to the report, we spend $4,601 per capita on health care in Texas, an increase of more than 36% from 2005 to 2009. Three-fourths of all health care spending nationwide is due to chronic and often preventable diseases that are often linked to obesity.  In Texas, 67% of adults are obese and overweight.

The report discusses the way in which employment, education, transportation and the environment affect health and economic growth in the region.  It also notes problems with access to care, the quality and cost of health care and inefficiencies in our current system.

The Texas Finance Commission will meet this Friday, October 21st to consider rules for the implementation of HB2592, which passed in the last legislative session.  The new law requires pay day and auto title lenders to provide prospective borrowers with a Consumer Disclosure Form comparing the interest, fees and percentage rates of these loans to alternative financial loans. Texas Appleseed, the Center for Public Policy Priorities and other organizations believe the proposed disclosure statements fall short of the intent of the law.   Click here for Friday's Finance Commission meeting agenda, time and location.

For more information on the impact of pay day lending on consumers visit Texas Appleseed. 

CEOs for Cities has released a new study called City Dividends that estimates America's 51 largest metro areas, which includes Austin at #14, could collectively realize $166 billion in new wealth by focusing on improvements in three key areas:  educational attainment, vehicle miles traveled and poverty. 

City Dividends, which was developed by Portland, Ore., economist Joe Cortright, calculates the monetary gains the top 51 metros could realize if they increase their college attainment by one percentage point (The Talent Dividend), reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 1 mile per person per day (The Green Dividend) and reduce the number of people in poverty (The Opportunity Dividend) by one percentage point.

City Dividends is designed to help urban leaders make the case for pubic policies that will help raise incomes, encourage citizens to drive less and increase opportunities for bringing people out of poverty.

The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees voted October 3 to implement a smoke-free policy for all campuses and facilities. The change takes effect January 2, 2012.

"We are committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for our students and employees," says Dr. Barbara Mink, chair of the college's Board of Trustees. "ACC joins a growing number of Texas colleges and universities taking this step. It makes sense for us from both health and financial perspectives."

ACC is already smoke-free inside buildings. The policy also prohibits the use of smoke-producing tobacco on college grounds and in ACC-owned vehicles.

PeopleFund and HousingWorks are holding an economic summit this Saturday, October 22nd at the ACC Eastview Campus.  The keynote speaker is Ted Abernathy, Executive Director of the Southern Growth Policies Board.  The Summit will engage community members in discussions and break-out sessions on housing affordability, creating sustainable small businesses, ongoing education and integrating the underserved into the economic mainstream. Learn more at Peoplefund.org.

Tomorrow is the deadline to register for this Saturday's conference.

Tools for Preserving Long Term Affordability for Home Owners will be the topic of the next City of Austin Affordable Housing Forum.   Speakers will include:

• Former Council Member Raul Alvarez, East Austin Conservancy
• Charles Cloutman, Meals on Wheels and More and the GO Repair! Coalition
• Kelly Weiss, Austin Habitat for Humanity

The Texas drought, recent high temperatures and the continued population growth in Texas exemplify the need for Texans to plan now for future water needs.  The Texas League of Women Voters has dedicated much of the past year to the study of water in our state.  The Local League of Women voters will share information from the study and host a panel presentation and discussion to explore the question:  Should water be treated as a commodity?

Panelists include an attorney, a representative of the Texas Water Development Board, the Manager of Water Supply for the LCRA, and representatives from the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.  The meeting will take place Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to noon at Ascension Lutheran Church Family Life Center, 6420 Hart Lane.

The Texas Mental Health Code has not been substantially revised in more than 25 years, while the behavioral health care standards, practices and services have changed dramatically.  Austin Travis County Integral Care is hosting a Community Forum to give community members an opportunity to influence Texas' code revision.   Family members, people with behavioral health needs, service providers and other interested community members are invited to attend the forum and to provide input to improve mental health services in our state.  The Community Forum will take place on Tuesday, November 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Learn more.

Community Resources 101 is a free training for volunteers and front line staff on how to use 2-1-1 to refer people to the help they need.  Classes are held the last Friday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at the United Way, 2000 E. MLK Boulevard.  Call 2-1-1 the day of the training to confirm that the training is taking place.