San Francisco, CA, October 31st, 2012 (PAHO/WHO) – Representatives
from the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization
U.S.- Mexico Border Office had the opportunity to present the many
challenges facing communities living on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico
border, during a session panel within the 140th Annual Meeting of the
American Public Health Association (APHA) held in San Francisco,
California on Monday October 29th, 2012.Five presenters highlighted
unique public health topics that exist on both sides of the border, such
as immunizations, violence and injury prevention, mental health,
environmental health and communicable diseases.
Immunization
is one of the most cost-effective public health strategies and the most
socially accepted; yet, it is a preventive tactic that the border
region still struggles to employ. Those who migrate to the United States
are often missing vaccinations, resulting in gaps in immunization
coverage. In addition, immunization requirements vary by border state in
the U.S., so those who migrate to the U.S. from Mexico with limited or
no health records may end up getting duplicated doses.
To address this issue, Dr. Gustavo Iturralde, a Health Promotion
Consultant, stated “institutions on both sides of the border have
strengthened in order to increase immunization coverage and decrease
inequities.” This includes increasing communication between the two
nations and between health care agencies to prevent the overuse of these
valuable and limited resources. Moreover, this issue has been addressed
through the development of the immunization comparison tools, which
compare the Mexico’s national vaccination scheme with each of the U.S.
states schemes.
High
rates of communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, syphilis and
HIV/AIDS, among others are also afflicting communities surrounding the
U.S.-Mexico border. “These
obstacles arise due to legal issues, continuity of care (sometimes due
to deportation) and complexities of reporting and case management," said Dr. Enrique Perez-Flores, Disease Prevention and Surveillance Advisor, who highlighted the need to "strengthen
binational information systems and surveillance, as well as the various
programs that carry out surveillance, prevention and control.”
Violence
in media coverage and its effects on viewers were explored at the
global health session as well. Lorely Ambriz, Alliances Development and
Knowledge Management Specialist, provided an in-depth analysis of a
three-week study conducted in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on violence in the
media (television, images and newspaper headlines) and its self reported
effects on adults and children, as well as their perception of their
surroundings. Ambriz revealed “on average, more than 50 percent of
[media content] focused on the topic of violence.” Study participants
felt conflicted and “stressed whether they [should] watch or read the
media,” while children perceived their community in a negative light.
To
address the media-violence issue, Dr. Maria Teresa Cerqueira, Chief of
the PAHO/WHO Border Office, discussed the objectives and community
impact of the Violence and Injury Prevention Initiative in Ciudad
Juarez. The initiative focuses on strengthening mental health in primary
care and promoting cultural changes.
“The initiative has trained approximately 400 community health workers
in 31 social health facilities to identify and refer individuals in need
and at risk for mental illness and psychological problems," Cerqueira said. "Over
3,200 people have been referred.” Children are also involved in the
initiative’s services, as they are encouraged to engage in silly putty,
photography, graffiti and silkscreen workshops to cultivate their young
minds.
In
addition, to the health, mental health and violence situation, Dr.
Marcelo Korc Sustainable Development and Environmental Health Advisor,
explained the environmental public health issues and challenges in the
U.S.-Mexico border. “Limited
access to drinking water and sanitation services is still an issue in
poor rural areas of both sides of the border,” expressed Dr. Korc. All
presenters discussed and analyzed the role of the PAHO/WHO Border Office
in technical cooperation and collaboration with federal, state and
local institutions and communities to improve health on the U.S. Mexico
border, as well as the lessons learned. The moderator of the sessions
was Dr. James Hospedales, Senior Advisor, Prevention & Control of Chronic Diseases, of the PAHO HQ Office in Washington, DC.
Moreover,
the PAHO/WHO Border Office representatives and Mr. James Hill, Advisor
on Resource Mobilization from the PAHO HQ Office, further continue the
discussion importance of strengthening collaboration and the public
workforce along the border with Dr. Georges Benjamin, President of APHA
and his team; the discussion including strengthening the collaboration
with counterparts of Mexico from the Sociedad Mexicana de Salud Pública.
PHOTO GALLERY
https://picasaweb.google.com/105847183118520531181/2012APHABorderPanel
PRESENTATIONS
20121029_APHA__Border_Immunizations_ITURRALDE.ppt
20121029_APHA_Border_Infectious Diseases_PEREZ-FLORES.ppt
20121029_APHA_Border_Mental_Health_and_VIP_CERQUEIRA.pptx
20121029_APHA__Border_Environmentlal_Health_KORC.pptx
20121029_APHA__Border_Media_Violence_AMBRIZ.ppt
RELATED LINKS
APHA Border Panel Program
https://apha.confex.com/apha/140am/webprogram/Session36067.html
ABOUT APHA
The
American Public Health Association is the oldest and most diverse
organization of public health professionals in the world and has been
working to improve public health since 1872. The Association aims to
protect all Americans, their families and
their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives
to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention
activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in
the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health professionals
and others who care about their own health and the health of their
communities. Over 12,000 joined APHA in San Francisco for its 140th
Annual Meeting.
For more information please contact:
Lorely Ambriz, M.S.I.S, Knowledge Management & Communication
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / A Regional Office of the World
Health Organization (WHO) United States-Mexico Border Office
5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-4 El Paso, TX 79912
Office (915) 845-5950 Ext. 42523 / Cel (915) 449-3040 / Fax (915) 845-4361
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
/ www.borderinfo.org