Public Health Campaigns
DSHS strives to improve public health through campaigns that help us reach our goal of a healthy Texas.
Current Campaigns
Measles
In response to the 2025 measles outbreak in West Texas, DSHS quickly mobilized a communications effort to help prevent the spread of measles. We launched a multimedia campaign in 19 impacted counties, including a digital buy, newspaper and radio advertising, indoor ads at local Walmarts and restaurants, outdoor billboards on busy roads, and a touring truck with video messaging about the measles vaccine. The DSHS website was also continually updated with timely and accurate information, and we leveraged local social media channels to distribute measles prevention messaging.
Hear Her Texas
The Hear Her Maternal Health Campaign was designed to help prevent maternal mortality and morbidity in our state through education, resources, and awareness. The campaign aims to empower women and their support networks to know the urgent maternal warning signs and speak up when they have concerns. It is also dedicated to encouraging everyone, including providers, caregivers, friends, and family to listen and act.
Vapes Down
The Vapes Down campaign, a public awareness initiative of the Texas Department of State Health Services, has created a toolkit of posters, flyers, videos and social media content that highlight the dangers of vaping. The campaign designed materials to help teens and young adults make informed decisions about vaping. Topics covered include nicotine addiction and the harmful chemicals vapes contain.
Safe Infant Sleep
Talking with parents, grandparents, and other caregivers about safe infant sleep creates awareness and saves lives. This campaign provides steps that parents - and everyone who cares for a baby - can take to ensure safe infant sleep. The campaign website has resources to assist with the first year of your baby’s life and will help you and your baby sleep safe and sound. Resources include downloadable materials for parents and care givers, and community toolkits and social media support.
Right from the Start - Breastfeeding
This campaign is focused on how Texas hospitals can champion change in breastfeeding outcomes. The goal of the Right from the Start Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign is to improve infant health outcomes through improved breastfeeding policy and practices in Texas’ birthing hospitals using a Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding strategy. This website provides information and downloadable/printable flyers for health care providers and health care leadership.
Texas Mother-Friendly Worksite
This program was designed to reduce barriers to breastfeeding by increasing the proportion of employers who have worksite lactation support policies and programs. The program provides minimum criteria for the designation and maintains a listing of designated worksites. Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites are businesses that support employees who choose to breastfeed their infants. The website provides resources and tips for employers, employees and outreach partners.
Folic Acid - Birth Defects Prevention
A woman having enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy can help prevent major birth defects in her baby’s brain and spine. The Folic Acid campaign helps women prepare for pregnancy with downloadable flyers, fact sheets and videos. The campaign website also provides helpful information such as what to avoid, how to prevent infections, managing medications, controlling chronic conditions, healthily eating, workplace exposures and genetics.
Alzheimer's Disease
This campaign provides information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and resources that can help. The website provides information for learning the warning signs and starting a conversation with your loved one if you start to notice changes that may be related to dementia. As a resource to heath care provides the website also provides access to helpful courses and resources related to screening, diagnosis, care coordination and referrals for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Every Dose Matters: Vaccine Education
When it comes to making choices about vaccines, it’s important for parents to have all the facts about vaccines. Science has shown that getting vaccinated is much safer than getting sick. Side effects from vaccines are minimal, and vaccine benefits are significant. This campaign website provides information on vaccine safety, how vaccines work, questions to ask your doctor, vaccine schedules, informational videos, possible side effects, and detailed information on each type of vaccine.
RSV and Flu Vaccine
RSV and flu are common respiratory viruses that can cause symptoms ranging from mild nasal congestion, cough, and low-grade fever to severe illnesses that require hospitalization. These viruses can affect anyone, but some groups have a higher risk for serious illness, especially the oldest and youngest members of our families. Getting them vaccinated is even more important. This campaign site provides information on where to get vaccines, and details about the diseases the vaccines prevent.