U.S.- Mexico Border Diabetes Prevention and Control Project

This is a twelve year U.S.-Mexico collaborative project that attempts to determine the prevalence of diabetes along the U.S.-Mexico border and to develop binational diabetes prevention and control programs that respond to the needs of the border population.  

Project Rationale and Need

• WHO estimated that by the year 2025 diabetes will increase 150-200%
• It is estimated that 5-14 of the total health expenditure will be used for diabetes
• Along the U.S.-Mexico border diabetes mortality rates are higher than National figures
• Diabetes is 2-3 times higher in Mexican-Americans than in non-Hispanics
• Diabetes is associated to other conditions such as hypertension, obesity, heart disease, etc
• Uncontrolled diabetes difficult treatment of infectious diseases (i.g., TB)
• There is an association between diabetes and HIV
• Large minority population along the border (average Hispanic population 70%)
• High border population growth rate
• High poverty levels on both sides of the border more than 30% of U.S. border population is found below the poverty level
• More than 30% of the Hispanic border population is uninsured
• Several border communities are designated "Medically Under-Served" areas

Project Purpose

To diminish the impact of diabetes of the border population by conducting activities in two related and chronological phases:

• Dissemination of results through trainings, policy briefs and forums.

Prevalence Study

• Determine the prevalence of diabetes among residents 18 years of age and older.
• Determine the prevalence of behavioral risk factors for diabetes.
• Assess individual accessibility, barriers, and opportunities to health. care for diagnosis and follow-up care
• Analyze data and develop reports for reference and recommendations for the implementation of binational strategies.

Result Dissemination

• Trainings across the US- Mexico Border for health care professionals and community health workers.
• Deliver Diabetes Community Forums in strategic sites.
• Develop policy briefs for legislatures, community leaders and decision makers.
  
  

Collaborative Partners

• Pan American Health Organization
• U.S.-Mexico Border Health Association
• Centers for Disease Control
• Secretaria de Salud de México
• State Health Authorities and Diabetes Control Programs of the ten border states
• Paso del Norte Health Foundation
• El Paso Diabetes Association
• Border Health Foundation
• California Endowment
• Project Concern International

Project Management

Pan American Health Organization will coordinate activities with support of the Project’s Executive Committee which, at the same time is composed of two Committees (Scientific and Intervention Advisory). A Binational Coordinator is in charge of coordinating binational activities, with one Mexican and one U.S. Coordinators who will coordinate domestic activities.

Challenges to Overcome

• Binational in scope in which is required to maintain a balance between culture and language
• Project is multiagency and multifunded
• Coordination of activities is complex
• Make equitable distribution of resources

Information

Contact the El Paso Field Office of the Pan American Health Organization at (915) 845-5950 Ext. 2537