NRHA’s Southwest Health Initiative
Recognizing that the majority of Southwest counties are rural, the National Rural Health Association thought it fitting to advocate for their specific health issues, just as it serves as a voice for rural America.
Rural Southwest Health Activities
The Southwest Health Initiative began in 2008 with the goal of ensuring quality health care services for rural populations along the U.S.-Mexico Southwest region. The inaugural meeting was held in Tucson, Ariz., in June 2008, and annual meetings have occurred ever since. In addition to hosting annual meetings that convene state officials and other Southwest health leaders, NRHA’s accomplishments to date include the implementation of Southwest health tracks at conferences, increased representation on the association’s Health Equity Council, appointments to regional committees of the Office of Minority Health, an official policy paper on health in the Southwest, engagement of state rural health associations in the Southwest, and support of the Border Health Security Act. Additionally, community health worker (CHW) education is a focal point of NRHA’s involvement with health in the Southwest. Since implementing an original action plan after attending the Clinton Global Initiative conference in 2012, NRHA has sponsored an annual training along the U.S./Mexico Southwest region and has trained over 1,200 CHWs to date. For more information, email Gaby Boscan.
Partners throughout the Southwest region
These NRHA partners have provided resources for more information on the U.S.-Mexico Southwest region:
- HRSA – Office of Global Health
- United States – Mexico Border Health Commission
- Arizona Dept. of Health – Office of Border Health
- California Dept. of Public Health – Office of Binational Border Health
- New Mexico Dept. of Health – Office of Border Health
- Texas Dept. of State Health Services – Office of Border Health