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New countywide data that breaks down cancer cases at the census tract level is helping to inform the way providers care for patients in the Lake Houston area, local health care officials said.

The overview: In March, Harris County Public Health released the East Harris County Cancer Assessment Report, which focused on 66 census tracts in East Harris County, including some portions of the Lake Houston area. Along with the report, HCPH launched an interactive dashboard where residents countywide can see where 17 types of cancer have higher-than-expected rates.

In the Lake Houston area, data shows several census tracts exhibited higher-than-expected cancer rates—with breast, lung, pancreatic, prostate and skin cancer being some of the most prominent.

Quote of note: “By identifying where certain cancer types occur at higher-than-expected rates, clinicians can better understand the communities they serve, tailor prevention and screening efforts, and consider environmental or demographic factors that may influence patient risk,” said Dr. Jo Ann Monroy, senior manager of Data Analytics and Reporting for the Office of Epidemiology, Surveillance and Emerging Diseases.

Humble City Council members approved the appointment of Kris Battenfield to serve as the city’s police chief.

The details: Council members approved the appointment during the council’s June 25 meeting.

Battenfield, who previously served as captain for the Humble Police Department, has been serving as the city’s interim police chief since February. Following the meeting, he said he was excited to take on his new role.

Some context: Battenfield was named interim police chief in February following the resignation of former Police Chief Daniel Zientek that same month.

What they’re saying: Battenfield said he was looking forward to giving the department a fresh start.

“Our department has been through a lot,” Battenfield said. “We have gotten things back on the rails, and there's nothing but positive things in the future for HPD.”

City Manager Jason Stuebe said the appointment was one of the most critical decisions he’s had to make during his time with the city.

Want to learn more about what Community Impact covered last week? Take a look at these five trending stories from June 22-26.

1. Cy-Fair EMS sees 91% increase in calls from assisted living communities

2. New Japanese bookstore to open in Rice Village

3. 7 businesses now open in Sugar Land, Missouri City

4. Conroe ISD reviews impact of new cellphone policy

5. Houston Shock Volleyball relocates to Spring Cypress Road in Tomball

The State Board of Education is nearing the finish line in its massive rewrite of what Texas public school students will learn about world and state history.

The details: The curriculum overhaul would shift the focus in social studies classes to a Texas-centered approach, deemphasizing lessons about world cultures and injecting more content about Christianity’s role in the founding of the United States.

Some educators and students have expressed concerns that the proposal lacks significant teachings about civil rights history, Japanese internment in the 1940s and people of color’s contributions to the nation. Meanwhile, Republican board members have pushed back, saying that the rewrite is necessary to teach students about American exceptionalism and Texas heritage in an attempt to undo what they called “a watering-down of American history.”

What's happening: The board has spent the bulk of its meetings this week making amendments to a 143-page social studies proposal, which includes hundreds of standards that students would be expected to learn each year. If adopted June 26, the new requirements would take effect in 2030.