On the United States-Mexico border, cooperation is the word

Washington, DC, September 19, 2002 (PAHO) -- The border between Mexico and the United States has become a point on the agenda of health authorities of both countries, especially since some diseases such as Hepatitis A and tuberculosis are much more prevalent along the border than in other regions within the same countries.

Since the creation of its Field Office in El Paso, Texas, in 1942 and in response to requests from the governments of both countries, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has shown its commitment and its concern toward this area with growing health problems that covers six states in Mexico and four in the United States.

In the border area, hepatitis A is two to three times more prevalent than in the rest of the United States. Tuberculosis rates are twice the national average, Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular ailments and cancer are serious problems, and, along with accidents and violence, are leading causes of death, disease, and disability along the border, with higher incidences than in the rest of the United States.

Dr. Alleyne said many health risks along the border are "geographical rather than national in scope," and risks such as those posed by vector-borne diseases "clearly have to be addressed binationally. This is the case whether the vectors are insects, humans, or food. They all cross the border with ease."

The PAHO office in El Paso concentrates on coordinating cooperation efforts among the two countries. Its role is to facilitate and to promote the creation of public and private alliances between the two nations. It also encourages dialogue to solve environmental and health problems on the border, using communication and dissemination of information.

The El Paso Office has a singular role in that it deals with two Federal governments, ten state governments, and their respective health authorities. The Office works with many county and local government health agencies located on the U.S.-Mexico border, and with the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Association.

Being a meeting point for two nations on a range of complex subjects presents a series of challenges to PAHO. These include high rates of migration and of mobility between the two countries; lack of information systems for binational and cross communication, high population growth, and differences in language, culture, and health systems.

The Field Office acts as a catalyst for activities such as immunization campaigns, maternal/child health programs, rabies control programs, and training seminars and workshops similar to those carried out throughout the hemisphere. PAHO also works with the border health association to organize courses and mobilize the technical resources of laboratories and universities for border programs.

The field office is also involved in key partnerships such as Ten Against TB to reduce the toll of tuberculosis, a Border 21 Environmental Health Workgroup, a binational effort to reduce diabetes, the Binational Infectious Disease Surveillance system, and work with local and state health officers.

PAHO, in a joint effort with the governments of Mexico and United States, also produces a publication profiling mortality in sister communities on the border of the United States and Mexico.

PAHO, which also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization, was established in 1902. PAHO Member States include all 35 countries in the Americas. France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are Participating States. PAHO is celebrating 100 years of work with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and raise the living standards of their peoples.

For more information, please contact: Daniel Epstein, Office of Public Information, (202) 974-3459, e-mail: epsteind@paho.org.

Related Information:
PAHO BOOK:
Access to Health Services under NAFTA