Jeffery Taylor, Manager of the Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit of Austin Public Health, conveyed a wealth of information on the organization of Public Health services in Texas, a survey of disease prevalence in the state, interventions that are employed to reduce the incidence of disease, and factors associated with the epidemiology of disease. There are 40 reportable diseases and conditions that are monitored by Public Health units. They record, investigate origins, and recommend control measures for those conditions. They also record births and deaths, hospital discharge diagnoses, use of seat belts, incidence of various tobacco uses, and other personal habits that impact disease incidence. And they monitor over-the-counter-sales of medicines, lab reports, age and cause of death to further verify disease and conditions incidence rates. Interventions include recommendation of vaccines, chlorination of drinking water, restaurant inspections twice a year, use of seat belts, elimination of tobacco use, diagnostic tests, taxes on soft drinks and cigarettes, ban of texting (and other distracting practices) while driving. And finally, Dr. Taylor made the point that disease is not a random event. Disease is associated with a variety of conditions; e.g., inheritance/biology, age, time, place, behavior, social environment, physical environment, birth order, and health services. He skillfully addressed several questions, visited with members after the meeting, and was requested by several to return to tell us more.