Texas Health and Safety Code - HEALTH & SAFETY § 87.021. Surveillance Program;  Registry Established

(1) identify and investigate certain birth defects in children;  and

(2) maintain a central registry of cases of birth defects.

(1) the number and geographic distribution of births in the state;

(2) the trained personnel and other departmental resources that may be assigned to the program activities;  and

(3) the occurrence or probable occurrence of an urgent situation that requires or will require an unusual commitment of the department's personnel and other resources.

(1) provide information to identify risk factors and causes of birth defects;

(2) provide information on other possible causes of birth defects;

(3) provide for the development of strategies to prevent birth defects;

(4) provide for interview studies about the causes of birth defects;

(5) together with other departmental programs, contribute birth defects data to a central registry;

(6) provide for the appointment of authorized agents to collect birth defects information;  and

(7) provide for the active collection of birth defects information.

(1) use a medically recognized system to specify the birth defects to be identified and investigated;

(2) select a system for classifying the birth defects according to the public health significance of each defect to prioritize the use of resources;

(3) develop a system to select and specify the cases to be investigated;

(4) specify a system for selecting the demographic areas in which the department may undertake investigations;  and

(5) prescribe the training and experience a person must have for appointment as an authorized agent of the department.

(1) the known incidence and prevalence rates of a birth defect in the state or portions of the state;

(2) the known incidence and prevalence rates of a particular birth defect in specific population groups who live in the state or portions of the state;

(3) the morbidity and mortality resulting from the birth defect;  and

(4) the existence, cost, and availability of a strategy to prevent and treat the birth defect.