The U.S.-Mexico border region suffers from a variety of intersecting problems including poverty, low education, poor access to health care, inadequate health care resources, and high levels of communicable diseases. In addition, large numbers of daily border crossings in both directions ensure the cross-border transmission of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, as well as health behaviors such as substance abuse. As a result, the health issues and needs of the border region are distinct from the non-border regions of the U.S. To address the specific health issues of the border region, the Border Health Offices of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, with the support of the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission, developed the Healthy “Gente” program. The program functions as a Healthy People 2010 Consortium, and includes 25 health objectives that address the most important health issues of the region, such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and access to health care. The program will use public forums, the media and other means of communication to focus health resources and activities on the 25 objectives, beginning with a focus on 2-3 objectives. The program also will develop community projects to address objectives selected in consultation with community representatives. The presentation will provide background information on the U.S. region bordering Mexico, data on Healthy “Gente” objectives, and information on other health issues in the region; it will also provide an overview of the implementation plan for this program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the distinct health problems of the U.S.-Mexico border; 2. Identify the 25 objectives of the Healthy "Gente" program.
Keywords: Healthy People 2000/2010, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.