Texas Residents Research Articles

Change in Depression and Its Determinants during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Examination among Racially/Ethnically Diverse US Adults.

This study examined longitudinal data to identify changes in the occurrence of depressive symptoms, and to explore if such changes were associated with socio-demographic, movement behaviors, and health variables during the COVID-19 pandemic, among a diverse sample of central Texas residents. Participants who completed two online surveys in 2020 (in June and November) from an on-going longitudinal study were included. Depressive symptoms were measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-2. Change in depressive symptoms’ occurrence status between the two time points was categorized into (1) stable/improved, and (2) consistent depressive symptoms/declined. Sociodemographic factors, movement behaviors and health data were self-reported. Statistical analyses utilized descriptive statistics and logistical regression. Among a total of 290 individuals (84.1% female; 71.0% racial/ethnic minorities), 13.5% were categorized as consistent depressive symptoms/declined. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that racial/ethnic minorities, older age, and increased physical activity were associated with a lower likelihood, while greater sedentary time was associated with higher likelihood of consistent depressive symptoms/declined status. Between 3 months and 8 months into the pandemic, various socio-demographic and behavioral variables were associated with changes in depressive symptoms’ occurrence status. Future research should explore the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on depression among a diverse population and identify risk factors for depression.

Supplemental Material for Assessing Depression Outcomes in Teletherapy for Underserved Residents in Central Texas: Telehealth’s Move to Treatment-as-Usual

Supplemental Material for Assessing Depression Outcomes in Teletherapy for Underserved Residents in Central Texas: Telehealth’s Move to Treatment-as-Usual

Understanding Questions and Concerns Regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Vaccine Among Populations Presenting at a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hub: A Qualitative Study.

Background:Skepticism among the public surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine is still prevalent despite vaccine-positive communication and many Americans having already received the vaccine. Side effects of the vaccine, as well as its expeditious research and development, are among the top concerns among those hesitant to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Moreover, there is additional concern regarding the association between comorbidities and severity of illness due to the coronavirus pandemic.Objective:We aimed to describe the pandemic- and vaccine-related concerns of South Texas residents who attended the UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing’s vaccine clinic with the goal of better understanding vaccine-related misconceptions and hesitancy for subsequent vaccination campaigns and boosters.Methods:An electronic survey accessible via a QR code on printed flyers was distributed throughout the waiting areas and post-vaccine observation rooms within the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at UT Health San Antonio School of Nursing from April 5 to 16, 2021. The survey contained a primary open-ended question designed to obtain information on concerns of the clinic attendees regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine. A thematic analysis was performed on the qualitative data to identify major themes to better understand concerns of vaccine clinic visitors.Results:During the 11-day period, 510 attendees received vaccinations through the vaccination clinic and completed the survey. Five areas of concern were identified by the 277 attendees: immunity, future vaccinations, vaccine symptoms and safety, protocol post-vaccination, and child vaccinations. Post-hoc sentiment analysis showed that responses were generally neutral or negative.Conclusion:This study provides a perspective regarding questions and concerns of South Texas residents regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine, and their general health status within a vaccinated population. Vaccine recipients were found to still have questions even after receiving the vaccine, suggesting that eliminating uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine is not necessary to motivate individuals to receive the vaccine. Instead, addressing concerns through public health messaging could be a useful strategy to address vaccine-related concerns and increase subsequent vaccine uptake in future vaccination campaigns and boosters.

The Association of Heart/Vascular Aging with Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Rural Multiethnic Cohort: The Project FRONTIER Study.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) disproportionately affect rural communities. Identifying strategies to effectively communicate CVD risk to prevent these conditions remains a high priority. We assessed the relation between predicted heart/vascular age (PHA), an easily communicated metric of CVD risk, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early manifestation of ADRD. Data were from 967 rural West Texas residents aged ≥40 years without CVD at baseline (2009-2012) enrolled in Project FRONTIER, an ongoing, multi-ethnic cohort study on cognitive aging. MCI was diagnosed using the standardized consensus review criteria. PHA was calculated using the Framingham CVD risk equation. High excess PHA (HEPHA) was defined as the difference between PHA and chronological age >5 years. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). At baseline, the mean age of participants (70% women and 64% Hispanics) was 55 years. Almost 13% had MCI and 65% had HEPHA. After adjusting for socio-demographic and health factors, HEPHA was positively associated with MCI (OR=2.98; 95%CI: 1.72-5.15). Among participants without MCI at baseline who returned for follow-up exam after three years (n=238), a three-year negative change in PHA was seemingly associated with reduced odds for MCI (OR=0.98; 95%CI: 0.96-1.01). In this study, PHA was positively associated with MCI, with improvement in CVD risk profile seemingly related to reduced odds for MCI. PHA may provide a low-cost means of communicating CVD risk in rural settings to prevent both CVD and ADRD.

The South East Texas Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program: Reach, Teach, Innovate

Through collaboration between academic and community partners, the South East Texas Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (SETx GWEP) aims to promulgate the 4Ms framework via a range of educational initiatives. The faculty and audience is interprofessional and diverse, representing the residents of South East Texas. Specific initiatives focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, elder abuse, geriatric mental health, patient priorities, transitions of care, and geriatric dental care. Training modalities include online modules, Project ECHO sessions, webinars, discussion forums, and simulation. During the COVID19 pandemic the SETx GWEP adapted to meet the needs of its stakeholders, including increasing the number of online activities, hosting town hall meetings, and developing training to address the impact of COVID19 on the older adult population. The SETxGWEP trained over 1000 people in 2020. To address healthcare disparities among older adults, SETx GWEP developed training on the practice of cultural humility in older adult care.

Assessing the role of venturesomeness in a destination consumer-based brand equity model

PurposeGiven the lack of research on the nomological validity of tourism destination consumer-based brand equity (CBBE) constructs incorporating core, well-established constructs from the travel and tourism discipline, this research investigates the influence of venturesomeness as a moderator in a model with destination image, satisfaction, and overall CBBE as antecedents of return intentions.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses online panel data of past visitor to the sea-side destination of Corpus Christi, Texas. A sample of 210 residents in Texas and surrounding states was employed to estimate the hypothesized effects through partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsResults demonstrate the predictive effects of destination CBBE dimensions on tourists' revisit intention, with the significant moderation effects of venturesomeness through its influence on tourist satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsFindings provide general support to the nomological validity of the proposed model, highlighting the role of satisfaction as a central dimension to explain destination loyalty, the limitations of generic scales to investigate tourism destination contexts, and the incorporation of consumers' psychographics and lifestyle variables on destination CBBE.Practical implicationsDestination marketers should develop segmentation strategies to target travelers with psychographic profiles that are more responsive to the factors that foster CBBE.Originality/valueThis research provides insights on the nomological validity of a CBBE model by evaluating its integration with a context-specific theoretical domain, which is a condition to increase the explanatory scope of theoretical relations and claims in intermediate theory, and to move the research field forward.

Assessing the limitations of just-in-time energy delivery in the ERCOT interconnection

In February of 2021, an atypical continental weather pattern imposed lower-than-average temperatures on the southern U.S. Prolonged subfreezing temperatures in turn put substantial strain on Texas’s energy systems. The electric grid of Texas, operated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), was crippled by a number of technical and operational difficulties initiated by the extreme weather. Freeze-offs on natural gas equipment and wind shortages resulted in significant under-generation, at times approaching 50% of load forecasts. Blackouts and prolonged rolling outages were the result. These rolling outages, necessary to retain broader stability and grid synchronism, proved effective in providing necessary grid stabilization. However, such actions left millions of Texas residents without power, heat, water, and other life sustaining resources during several of coldest days in recent memory, causing hundreds of fatalities. Analysis of the event indicates that the lack of both sufficient baseload and dispatchable generating capacity is the result of a number of interweaved operational constraints placed on grid operators by alterations in the interconnection’s fuel resource availability. Fuel supplies are no longer readily stored on-hand in sufficient quantity, and just-in-time delivery creates dependence on suppliers who are themselves subject to the forces of extreme weather.

Primary care physician and resident perceptions of gun safety counseling

A significant public health burden exists related to firearm-related injuries in the United States. Primary care physicians (PCPs) find themselves on the frontline to address it. This study aimed to determine if PCPs feel prepared and responsible for providing firearm safety counseling. Data were gathered via a direct 23-question survey of family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatric physicians and residents in North and Central Texas between May 2019 and January 2020. The survey was delivered to 518 outpatient providers, with a 24% response rate. Associations were assessed by chi-square/Fisher’s exact test. A total of 62% agreed that preventable firearm death is an important health issue and PCPs can have a positive effect; 10% felt their residency provided or provides opportunities to learn about firearm safety and how to counsel patients; 55% agreed that a standardized tool to question and counsel patients on firearm safety such as a template in the electronic health record would be useful; and 68% stated they would use a standardized template in their practice if proven to reduce firearm-related injuries. Physicians who had received training in residency felt their knowledge was adequate to be able to provide meaningful counseling to patients (P < 0.001). In conclusion, PCPs are pivotal in addressing firearm safety. A formal curriculum across primary care specialties’ graduate education programs should be developed to improve physicians’ competency in addressing firearm safety. Further investigation into standardized tools that could be implemented into an electronic health record may help bridge the gap from awareness to implementation of interventions.

Amicus Curiae Brief of Political Scientist Wolfgang P. Hirczy de Mino in Support of State Court Adjudication in U.S. vs. Texas, No. 21-588

This friend-of-the-court brief urges the U.S. Supreme Court to leave the Fifth Circuit's stay of Judge Pitman's preliminary injunction in place and validate the Fifth Circuit motion panel’s rejection of the notion that it is constitutionally proper for a singular federal judge to enjoin a state's entire judiciary from doing their job of adjudicating the controversies and issues presented to them. If Senate Bill 8 (SB8) -- now known as THE TEXAS HEARTBEAT ACT -- is unconstitutional in whole or in part, state judges will be able to make those legal determinations, and if they go wrong, such rulings can be appealed and may reach the SCOTUS through the state appellate system in the regular course of constitutional litigation. More than a dozen SB8-related case are already pending in Texas state courts. It is also conceivable that S.B.8 might be invalidated on state-law grounds or pared down by the Texas judiciary to assure conformity with the U.S. Supreme Court's current abortion precedents, which would obviate the need for further federal court review. Although statutory standing and availability of legal causes of action are matters within the policymaking powers of the political branches, it is conceivable that the Texas Supreme Court would nevertheless limit legal standing to bring SB 8 claims to Texas residents who can show actual or impending injury in addition to mere person status under S.B.8. Cf. In re Abbott, 601 S.W. 3d 802 (Tex. 2020), citing Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 112 S.Ct. 2130, 119 L.Ed.2d 351 (1992), the leading federal precedent on Article III standing.

Lake Stillhouse Water Plant Provides Additional Water Source for 300,000 Texas Residents

Lake Stillhouse Water Plant Provides Additional Water Source for 300,000 Texas Residents

POSTER ABSTRACTS: P31 TRAVEL PATTERNS AMONG TEXAS RESIDENTS OBTAINING OUT-OF-STATE ABORTION CARE FOLLOWING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SUSPENDING IN-STATE SERVICES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Objectives: In late March 2020, Texas issued an executive order that was interpreted to prohibit most abortions. We compared Texas residents’ patterns of out-of-state travel before and during the order.

Racial disparities and medical care accessibility in cancer statistics.

e18510 Background: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It continues to be the second leading cause of death in the United States despite all national efforts aiming to reduce cancer burden and mortality. Delays in medical care and subsequently age-appropriate screening leads to increased cancer burden which reflect on the overall prognosis. Medical care accessibility has been a challenge that is reported by approximately one third of the USA adult population. We aimed to identify health care disparities and its correlation with prevalence of cancer as well as delays in medical care due to financial challenges among Texas residents. Methods: We analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2017. We measured specific health care disparities including patient’s gender, age, race/ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), annual income, alcohol consumption, history of cancer, and delays in medical care due to financial burden, among respondents to the 2017 BRFSS survey from Texas. We computed the difference between our comparison groups using chi-square test for categorical variables and t-test for continuous variables. Results: We analyzed the differences in health care disparities among respondents with and without history of cancer. We report results from 11,165 adult respondents who reside in Texas, among which nine percent were diagnosed with cancer. We noticed a higher proportion of females than males among participants with a history of cancer (64% females p &lt; 0.0001). Age did differ between both groups, with the majority of participants with cancer are aged 50 years and older. Interestingly, BMI did not differ between both groups (p-value = 0.6930). Although annual income did not differ between both groups, twelve percent of participants with cancer diagnosis suffered from delays in medical care due to financial burden. Racial disparities were statistically different between participants with or without cancer (p &lt; .0001). Seventy seven percent of patients with cancer diagnosis were White and non-Hispanic with a cancer prevalence rate of 12% in that racial group. On a stratified analysis to compute the relationship between delayed medical care due to financial burden and cancer diagnosis among all ethnic groups, it was not statistically different (p-value = 0.1063). We showed that prevalence of cancer among multiracial participants and other racial minorities was higher in the group of participants who reported delays in medical care due to financial burden (11% versus 7%). Conclusions: Racial and ethnic disparities could affect accessibility to medical services. Race is a significant variable that is associated with cancer, with higher prevalence of cancer in White and non-Hispanic. Delayed medical care due to financial burden is more pronounced in multiracial population and racial minorities and should be targeted in future quality improvement projects.

Birth Defect Co-Occurrence Patterns Among Infants With Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

To investigate 2- to 5-way patterns of defects co-occurring with orofacial clefts using data from a population-based registry. We used data from the Texas Birth Defects Registry for deliveries between 1999 and 2014 to Texas residents, including 1884 cases with cleft palate (CP) and 5289 cases with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL±P) without a known syndrome. We identified patterns of defects co-occurring with CP and with CL±P observed more frequently than would be expected if these defects occurred independently. We calculated adjusted observed-to-expected (O/E) ratios to account for the known tendency of birth defects to cluster nonspecifically. Among infants without a syndrome, 23% with CP and 21% with CL±P had at least 1 additional congenital anomaly. Several combinations of defects were observed much more often than expected. For example, the combination of CL±P, congenital hydrocephaly, anophthalmia, and other nose anomalies had an O/E ratio of 605. For both CP and CL±P, co-occurrence patterns with the highest O/E ratios involved craniofacial and brain abnormalities, and many included the skeletal, cardiovascular, and renal systems. The patterns of defects we observed co-occurring with clefts more often than expected may help improve our understanding of the relationships between multiple defects. Further work to better understand some of the top defect combinations could reveal new phenotypic subgroups and increase our knowledge of the developmental mechanisms that underlie the respective defects.

Decline of Psychological Health Following the Designation of COVID-19 as a Pandemic: Descriptive Study.

BackgroundCOVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020, and as of this writing, Texas, United States, has reported >675,000 cases with over 14,000 deaths. Many of the preventive measures implemented during the pandemic can increase sedentary lifestyles, which can lead to the development of chronic diseases, including obesity, among the general population and cause serious threats to people’s physical health and overall quality of life. Individuals with pre-existing comorbidities are at an increased risk of COVID-19 and may hence have higher levels of stress.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels and mental health status on an individual level and to compare them between those with and those without comorbidities in a cohort of Texas residents, before and after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.MethodsAn electronic survey was disseminated throughout various regions of Texas. In total, 160 individuals were asked questions about their demographic characteristics, time spent on daily physical activities, and daily mental health status before and after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. Frequency distributions and descriptive statistics were analyzed.ResultsOverall, 94 (58%) participants reported having ≥1 medical condition, and 31 (13.1%) had >3 medical conditions. Physical activity levels among participants with ≥1 pre-existing comorbidity drastically—but not significantly—decreased, as evident from a 10% increase in sedentary lifestyles after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. On the contrary, we observed a 9% increase in the number of individuals without a pre-existing comorbidity who reported 30-60 min of physical activity per week. There was a 2-fold increase in the number of participants reporting more frequent feelings of nervousness, too much worry, trouble relaxing, and the fear of something awful happening after the pandemic. More specifically, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions reported, on average, a 10% higher incidence of feelings of stress, anxiety, and sadness compared to their healthy counterparts after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.ConclusionsStressful life conditions and chronic comorbidities are risk factors that can affect mental health and reduce the ability to perform activities of daily life. Therefore, when implementing pandemic protocols, municipalities should consider providing mental health support to their citizens to protect them from this rather inconspicuous adverse effect.

The prevalence and characteristics of adults with latent tuberculous infection in the United States and the implications for healthcare in Texas

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 8,916 cases of tuberculosis in 2019. Reducing the number of cases of active tuberculosis requires identification of patients with latent tuberculous infections (LTBI). Optimal screening for LTBI requires information about the demographics and characteristics of people who are more likely to have had tuberculous infection. Information from the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was used to determine the number and characteristics of adults from a representative sample of the United States who had LTBI. Latent tuberculous infection was identified either by a positive skin test or by a positive QuantiFERON blood test. Information about the number of patients with active tuberculosis in Texas was determined from reports from the Texas State Department of Health Services. The NHANES database for the years 2011-2012 included 5,684 adults. Participants with a positive QuantiFERON blood test were more likely in the age group 45-64, male, foreign born, and have less than a high school education. Participants with a positive skin test had similar characteristics. Participants who had both a positive skin test and positive QuantiFERON test were more likely to be in the age group 45-64, males, foreign born, and Hispanic. In addition, they had diabetes, self-reported fair/poor health, and an educational level less than high school. In the State of Texas tuberculosis occurred more frequently in individuals older than 75 who were male and were not US born Texas residents. Important clinical diagnoses included diabetes, alcohol abuse, correctional facility residence, non-injection drug use, positive HIV status, and homelessness. Information from the NHANES study and from the State Department of Health Services in Texas provides information needed to develop screening programs for latent tuberculosis and active tuberculosis.

Addiction Treatment Networks Cannot Withstand Acute Crises: Lessons from 2021 Winter Storm Uri in Texas.

The week of February 14, 2021, will be forever ingrained in the memories of Central Texas residents. Winter Storm Uri blanketed the region in ice and snow, leading to devastating and unprecedented circumstances. Most residents lost electricity, and the water infrastructure in Austin and other cities collapsed. As roads became impassable, private and public […]

Border-state abortions increased for Texas residents after House Bill 2

ObjectivesTo assess changes in Texas-resident border-state abortions, medication abortions, and abortions ≥22 weeks from last menstrual period (LMP) before and after implementation of House Bill 2 (HB2) in November 2013 and before and after the US Supreme Court's decision regarding HB2 in June 2016. Study designWe conducted an interrupted time series analysis using 2012-2017 data on Texas-resident abortions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Data on procedure type and gestational age were available only for abortions in New Mexico. ResultsBorder states reported 762 Texas-resident abortions in 2012, 1,673 in 2014, and 1,475 in 2017. Texas-resident abortions in all border states nearly doubled following HB2’s implementation (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.92, 95% CI: 1.67-2.20). Border-state abortions then decreased by 19% after the 2016 US Supreme Court decision, compared to the period prior to the decision and after HB2’s implementation (IRR=0.81, 95% CI: 0.73-0.91). From 2012 to 2014, the proportion of Texas-resident abortions in New Mexico that were medication abortion increased from 5% to 20% (p < 0.001) and the proportion that were ≥22 weeks from LMP decreased from 40% to 23% (p < p<0.001). Texas vital statistics undercounted annual out-of-state abortions, reporting only 13%-73% of abortions reported by border-state clinics during the study period. ConclusionsHB2 was associated with increases in border-state abortions for Texas residents, including in the number of those ≥22 weeks from LMP. Border-state abortions declined after the Supreme Court ruled HB2 unconstitutional yet remained higher than pre-HB2 levels. Implications statementAbortion restrictions that severely curtail access may result in increases in travel out of state for care. Documenting out-of-state abortions is important for evaluating broader policy impacts and to prepare for future service disruptions. Texas residents may have more limited options for care if border states enact restrictive abortion laws.

Pooled versus private ride-hailing: A joint revealed and stated preference analysis recognizing psycho-social factors

Pooled mobility services hold substantial promise as a means to provide better accessibility to those who may find it difficult to drive themselves, while also promoting sustainable transportation efforts. In this paper, we develop a joint revealed preference-stated preference model for the choice between pooled versus private ride-hailing that (a) accommodates a suite of individual-level socio-demographics, individual-level psycho-social attributes, built environment variables, and trip-level variables, and (b) explicitly recognizes the importance of considering familiarity with pooled ride-hailing (RH) as an integral element of the pooled RH choice process. The primary source of data for the analysis is drawn from a 2019 survey of Austin, Texas residents. Our results underscore the value of using psycho-social latent constructs in the adoption of current and emerging mobility services, both in terms of improved prediction fit as well as in terms of designing proactive strategies to promote pooled RH service adoption. Women, older adults, and non-Hispanic/non-Latino Whites have a low propensity to choose the pooled RH mode, while employed individuals, highly educated individuals, and those living in high density urban areas have a high propensity. Overall, the average VTT estimate is $27.80 per hour for commute travel, $19.40 per hour for shopping travel, and $10.70 per hour for leisure travel, while the willingness to pool (that is, the willingness to pay to not pool a ride or WTS) averages about 62 cents for commute travel, $1.70 for shopping travel and $1.32 for leisure travel. These estimates can be used by TNCs and cities to consider new integrated pooled RH-fixed transit service designs, position traffic congestion alleviation strategies and new mobility services, and customize information campaigns to promote pooled RH mode use.

How disasters drive media channel preferences: Tracing news consumption before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey

AbstractUnderstanding public media channel preferences can inform preparedness plans, response strategies and long‐term recovery. However, questions remain about how media consumption changes across pre‐crisis, crisis, and post‐crisis phases. Past theories argue that media use may change for several reasons, including during times of societal conflict and challenge. These theories point to the belief that, during a crisis, we expect media channel use to change because media preferences during a crisis will be fundamentally different compared with everyday routines.This paper takes advantage of a survey fielded to Texas residents soon after Hurricane Harvey. Here, we ask the following: (a) “what media channels are most prominent in each crisis phase?” and (b) “do media channel preferences change across crisis phases?”. We use simple descriptive statistics and chi‐square tests to describe media channel preferences across the three crisis phases by demographics. Additionally, we use alluvial diagrams to visualize media channel preferences over time. In total, 62% (n = 174) of respondents reported no changes in channel preferences. However, chi‐square tests identified significant differences in media use changes related to a handful of demographic characteristics. These findings are explored alongside theories that would hypothesize likely media use changes across pre‐crisis, crisis and post‐crisis phases.

Abstract PO-011: Mays Cancer Center, South Texas cancer survey: Preliminary results

Abstract Background People living in the Mays Cancer Center (MCC) catchment area face greater cancer-related disparities and face a greater risk of developing liver and cervical cancer. Other priority cancers include colorectal, prostate, and breast cancer. All five major metropolitan cities in the catchment area have lower use of preventive screening services compared to the rest of Texas and nation. In response the MCC conducted a community survey to examine South Texas residents’ 1) exposure to cancer information; 2) knowledge about cancer risk reduction; and 3) intentions and behaviors to reduce cancer risk. Methods A postal address file (PAF) was purchased of 58,960 households throughout the catchment area. The survey was distributed via mail on postcards in two waves. Wave one was launched in May 2020 and was distributed to 30,892 households. Each wave included two mail-outs two weeks apart. To bolster response rate, one week from the last mail out, two follow-up email blasts were sent one week apart to a list of 8,825 addresses from the same mailing list. Post-survey weighting will be applied to the full dataset upon project closeout to provide corrected standard errors and confidence intervals not available at this time. Results Preliminary results (n=432) show the survey has reached 35 of the 38 counties in the MCC catchment area, 36% are from urban counties and 51% rural. Majority of respondents were Hispanic (51%) followed by non-Hispanic white (NHW) (28%) and non-Hispanic black (NHB) (3%). Liver cancer risk: Overall 38% of respondents had been tested for Hepatitis C (n=302). Men had a higher rate of being tested (40%) when compared to women (37%). 51% of respondents were Hispanic followed by 35% NHW and 7% NHB. Colorectal cancer risk: Overall 25% of respondents had received a blood stool test (n=365). Higher than the state (10.9%) and the US (8.9%). Men had a higher rate of being tested (34%) when compared to women (22%). 45% of respondents were Hispanic followed by 43% NHW and 5% NHB. Breast cancer risk: Overall 60% of women had received a mammogram (n=249). Lower than the state (74.9%) and the US (78.3%). 56% (n=83) were Hispanic followed by 38% (n=57) NHW and 3% (n=5) NHB. Cervical cancer risk: Overall 86% (n=212) of women respondents had received a Papanicolaou test (n=246). Higher than the state (77.1%) and the US (80.1%). 58% (n=124) were Hispanic followed by 34% (n=72) NHW and 5% (n=10) NHB. Prostate cancer risk: Overall 49% (n=48) of men had received a PSA test (n=107). Higher than the state (27.1%) and the US (33.2%). 52% (n=25) were NHW followed by 42% (n=20) Hispanic and 2% (n=1) NHB. Conclusions Controlling for gender specific cancers women indicated a higher rate of screening behaviors when compared to men. The highest screening rates among women were found in Hispanics. Alternatively, screening rates were highest among NHW men. Men were more likely to have been screened for liver and colorectal cancer. Screening rates in the catchment area were higher than both state and US rates for pap, PSA, and blood stool tests. Citation Format: Rebecca Jones, Patricia Chalela, Harriet Van Loggerenberg, Edgar Munoz, Ruben Mesa, Amelie G. Ramirez. Mays Cancer Center, South Texas cancer survey: Preliminary results [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-011.