 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Julie Ann Parrish, MA1, Coleman Chandler, MPH1, Rachel Annette Summers1, Monica L. Wendel, MA, MPH2, James N Burdine, Dr PH2, Michael R.J. Felix3, Sanu Somachandran, MPH2, and Jay Jezierski, MPH2. (1) School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University System, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, 979-845-6957, japarrish@srph.tamushsc.edu, (2) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 1103 University Drive, Suite 100, College Station, TX 77840, (3) Michael Felix and Associates, Walburt Ave, Allentown, PA 77802
Among present health care trends in America is the continuously growing number of U.S. citizens purchasing prescription medications across the border in Mexico. Consistent with these trends, health care providers are also observing that both U.S. and Mexico residents seek medical and dental services cross-nationally—specifically within a certain mileage range from the bi-national border. Interestingly, the question of comparable needs and available health services rises from these observations and spawns the issue of implications for imposing a border on the health status of bi-national residents.
A project of the Texas A&M System Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health (SRPH) examined the health status of residents in Hidalgo and Starr counties and the bordering communities in Mexico (Tamaulipas Region 4, consisting of six municipios: Rio Bravo, Reynosa, Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, Camargo, Miguel Alemán, and Mier). The interest of this study remained to examine how the presence of a ‘border’ might impact the health status of residents of the two communities separated by the border. The study observed if there were any differences in health needs and available services, including issues of access. This research has great significance in planning a strategy to improve health status among bi-national communities and whether there is a need to consider inherent characteristics in bordering communities when developing and implementing plans.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.