United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Annual Report 2003

United States Specific:
• Establish or expand border community and migrant health access points; and
• Develop mechanisms that can alleviate and reimburse states for uncompensated
medical costs for uninsured and underinsured care.
Mexico Specific:
• Support the Commission in the implementation of the Protección Financiera para
la Salud program (Seguro Popular /Popular Health Insurance) and the Vete Sano,
Regresa Sano program (Go Healthy, Return Healthy) in the Mexico border states.
Improved Disease Prevention Efforts, Health Education Delivery and Disease
Control Procedures
Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S.-Mexico border
region. Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health
problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy lifestyles, such as
eating nutritious foods, being physically active and avoiding tobacco use, can prevent or
control the devastating effects of these diseases.
The Commission’s Healthy Border 2010 agenda has health objectives specific to the
border region that call for the elimination of health disparities within the decade. The
objectives focus on the conditions and diseases that have the most glaring and persistent
gaps among vulnerable populations, including prenatal care, tuberculosis, cancer,
diabetes, HIV/AIDS and immunizations, and promote healthy outcomes.
The Commission recognizes that much can be done to prevent these conditions and that
resources focused on these areas are a wise investment. Initiatives that promote health
education and healthy lifestyles, such as Steps to a Healthier U.S., should be adapted to
the needs of the border region and expanded to work sites, schools, faith communities
and health care settings.
The Commission asks the governments to:
• Use the Commission’s Healthy Border 2010 agenda as a tool for health planning,
research and assessment of health disparities;
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