Katy - Fulshear | January 2026

BY SARAH BRAGER & TOMER RONEN Health & wellness Health & Wellness Edition 2026

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health & Wellness Edition! This annual guide features the latest updates and resources on health and wellness in your community. All of the stories were written by our team of local journalists. In this year’s edition, learn more about how several physicians are expanding concierge medicine, which is when patients pay for a membership for enhanced medical services, including increased access to doctors and in-depth wellness screenings. Additionally, see how the area ranks in a new University of Houston study about mental health deserts. Our cover story looks at the growth of pickleball in the Katy area with several businesses set to be added this year and beyond. See how the sport can help residents stay healthy while meeting a new community of friends. Finally, meet Sandra Vandegaer—the owner of the Sandra V Bath & Body in Downtown Katy. Learn more about the handmade soaps, bath bombs, candles and scrubs the business oers.

Gold Sponsor

Aubrey Vogel Editor avogel@ communityimpact.com

Kelsey-Seybold for Seniors seniors.kelsey-seybold.com 7134428526 (TTY: 711) Our mission is to help seniors live and age well by making healthcare easier. Our doctors and specialists work together, with imaging and labs in one place, so you get coordinated care and a simpler path to managing your health with condence.

Silver Sponsors

For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!

UH study nds mental health deserts

The big picture

Of the 96 ZIP codes mapped, 43% were considered “distressed”—averaging only 1.9 licensed mental health professionals, with 39 having none at all, per the report.

Despite nearly half of Greater Houston ZIP codes showing a lack of mental health providers, a University of Houston “mental health deserts” study found Katy and Fulshear’s mental health needs are mostly met. Published Oct. 15 in Frontiers of Public Health, the study showed residents in low income and minority neighborhoods have struggled to access mental health resources. The distressed communities index rates ZIP codes as “distressed,” “at risk,” “mid tier,” “comfortable” and “prosperous” based on poverty, job growth, education level and other factors, per the study. The Katy-Fulshear area ranks consistently “prosperous” with only ZIP code 77423 ranking mid-tier on the DCI, which was last updated with 2023 Census data, according to the map.

Distressed Communities Index The Distressed Communities Index (DCI) uses Census data including housing vacancy, poverty rate, median income ratio, among others to explore disparities in economic well-being. Prosperous Mid-tier

Greater Houston on the Distressed Communities Index The DCI rates ZIP codes on educational attainment, poverty level and housing vacancy rates.

529

99 TOLL

77423

529

Breakdown of 96 analyzed ZIP codes Distressed: 42 At risk: 19 Mid tier: 18 Comfortable: 10 Prosperous: 7

77493

562

19.79%

43.75%

77094

18.75%

77494

77450

1093

77441

10.41%

7.29%

N N

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM