NRHA’s Border Health Initiative
Recognizing that the majority of border counties are rural, the National Rural Health Association thought it fitting to advocate for border health issues, just as it serves as a voice for rural America.
Rural Border Health Activities
The Border Health Initiative began in 2008 with the goal of ensuring quality health care services for rural populations along the U.S.-Mexico border. 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 border health leaders, NRHA’s accomplishments to date include the implementation of border health tracks at conferences, increased border representation on the association’s Health Equity Council, appointments to regional committees of the Office of Minority Health, an official policy paper on border health, engagement of state rural health associations in border health, and support of the Border Health Security Act. Additionally, community health worker (CHW) education is a focal point of NRHA’s involvement with border health. 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 border and has trained over 1,200 CHWs to date. For more information, email Gaby Boscan.
Rural Border Health Chartbooks
The 2021 Rural Border Health Chartbook is an update to the 2014 version that focuses on residents in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas by comparing self-reported ethnicity (Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic), rural-urban designation (rural vs. urban), and proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border (border vs. non-border). The chartbook provides valuable data on health status, health-related behaviors, and access to care. The update also includes data on COVID-19 and American Indian health in border counties.
Partners along the border
These NRHA partners have provided resources for more information on the U.S.-Mexico border:
- 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