California-Mexico Epidemiological Surveilliance Pilot (CMESP)
Epidemiological surveillance within populations is vital to accurately assess the burden of morbidity and mortality in general, and of infectious-disease trends in particular, and to effect system and policy changes to improve the health status of agricultural workers and their families and communities. To address these needs, the California HIV/AIDS Research Program (formerly Universitywide AIDS Research Program), HIA, and Mexican research institutions developed a multi-component surveillance system tailored to a migrant population that can produce a more accurate portrayal of morbidity patterns and a better understanding of the related risk determinants, health service needs, and behaviors associated with particular diseases. Surveillance takes place in selected Fresno and San Diego communities and two Mexican states.
This binational epidemiological surveillance system provides improved monitoring of behavioral, medical, environmental, and demographic trends and changes, allowing comparison of binational morbidity and mortality patterns. Epidemiological data is used to evaluate the impact of disease prevention efforts, health care programs, and interventions (particularly related to HIV/AIDS, STDs, and tuberculosis) on Mexican migrant and recent immigrant populations, and to inform policy development in both Mexico and California.
The overall outcome of this project is to disseminate information on the burden and trends of HIV/AIDS, STDs, tuberculosis, and other health conditions among agricultural workers in order to influence organizational and policy changes to improve the health of agricultural workers and their families and communities.
From Phase 1 of the project some ethnographic pieces have been produced which illustrate the relationship between migration, culture, and behavior. (Coming soon)
Binational Health Week
This year, the Ninth BHW will take place October 3-15, 2009 in 40 states in the U.S. and 3 provinces in Canada, with the participation of the consular networks of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, during BHW five national campaigns will be implemented to promote awareness among the underserved Latino community on H1N1 Influenza, Prevention of Addictions, Nutrition, Prevention of Strokes, and Living Green.
More information about BHW events