 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Hector Xavier Martinez, BA, Ministry of Health, Mexican National Autonomous University, Lieja 7 Col. Juarez, Mexico City, 06696, Mexico and Gabriel Garcia, PhD, Ministry of Health, University of Marseille, Lieja 7 col. Juarez, Mexico City, 06696, Mexico, (5255)55537337, ggarciap@salud.gob.mx.
One of the most important issues for Mexican society is migration. Hundreds of thousands of Mexicans leave their communities each year; some to live in other parts of Mexico, but many to cross the northern border to make a living in the United States.
Having changed their location, migrants do not stay in one place. They move around to follow the demand for labor, in search of a better living standard, and to reunite families. Migrants are truly citizens in motion.
Migration has a strong impact on Mexico's economy, demography, education and culture, and on all aspects of health services.
· Migrants account for the second-largest influx of foreign exchange to the Mexican economy.
· 8% of U.S. population is of Mexican origin.
It is currently estimated that more than 20 million people of Mexican origin live in the United States. Twelve million of these are U.S.-born. Of the other 8 million born in Mexico, it is estimated that some 3 million are undocumented.
The Ministry of Health has created a number of organizations to tackle health problems in the migrant population. The Minister's Office manages the Office of Migrant Health directly. The Action Program "Vete Sano, Regresa Sano" (Leave healthy, return healthy) is operated by the Department of Health Protection and Prevention. The Ministry also participates in the Mexico-United States Border Health Committee and in the Migrant Health Core Group.
Finally, we will explain the actions and results that the mexican government through the Ministry of Health is developing toward the improvement of the migrants health conditions.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Government, Immigrants
Related Web page: www.saludmigrante.salud.gob.mx
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Mexican Ministry of Health, General Coordination of Health and Migrant Support
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.