2014 BBHW Arizona State Report - United States

Border Binational Health
Week
October 6-10, 2014
ARIZONA Outreach Office
Comprehensive State Report
Medical professionals and community health workers from Campesinos sin Fronteras engage
communities in Yuma County by providing health screenings, education and outreach.
A binational health walk that began in San Luis, AZ and ended in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora was held
along with conferences throughout the week on a variety of topics.
Border Binational Health Week 2014
Arizona Outreach Office Comprehensive State Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
Cochise County
II.
Pima County
III.
Santa Cruz County
IV.
Yuma County
V.
Arizona Border Binational Health Week Compilation of Events
VI.
Photo Gallery
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Arizona Outreach Office Comprehensive State Report
I.
Cochise County
Chiricahua Community Health worked with the Mexican Consulate of Douglas to organize
activities for this year. Ten different organizations and agencies participated in event planning
during two planning sessions. The result of the planning process was three health fairs; a
health fair near Willcox, Arizona on October 8th, a second in Naco, Mexico on October 11th and
a third in Douglas, Arizona on October 15th. The event in Douglas was also a walk entitled,
“Walk for your flu shot.” Participants received free flu shots from Walgreens pharmacy.
Cochise County is a large county covering approximately 2000 square miles with a population
density of 19 persons per square mile. The rural nature and the proximity to the border may
account for many of the health disparities that exist among the population such as diabetes,
obesity and hypertension.
With these health disparities in mind participating agencies provided the following services:
blood pressure checks; blood glucose tests; height, weight and BMI measurements; flu shots; a
Zumba demonstration; and a one-mile walk.
Agencies that were unable to provide direct services provided assistance in the form of food
donations and information on services for domestic violence, women’s health, behavioral
health, and employment services. A patient enrollee for the Affordable Care also participated
and provided information about the upcoming “open enrollment” process. In addition to these
services, the City of Douglas provided both a police escort and an ambulance escort for the
walking event on October 15th.
Willcox was specifically selected as a target site for the Binational Health Fair to serve the
migrant and seasonal farm workers that live in this area. The migrant and seasonal farm
workers are among the poorest workers in the United States and agricultural work is among the
most dangerous occupations in the nation. All of the fair participants that attended the October
8th Health Fair were agricultural workers.
The health fair in Naco, Mexico was extremely well-attended. An estimate of attendees at the
event was between 250 and 300 people.
One hundred and eighty people received free flu shots from Walgreens at both the Douglas and
Willcox Health Fairs.
Participation of the Mexican Consulate included use of their lobby for the Douglas Health Fair,
assistance with advertising, PSA’s and radio announcements. In addition staff assisted in
organizing these events.
The medical staff at General Hospital in Agua Prieta, Mexico provided significant contributions
to the programing and development of all the events during Border Binational Health Week.
Walgreens also provide these communities with free flu shots for the events.
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Arizona Outreach Office Comprehensive State Report
Health disparities are preventable, as the Affordable Care Act continues to unfold in Cochsie
County, community members may better be able to access care when they have been unable to
do so in the past.
Collaborative efforts of the Ventanilla de Salud program and Chiricahua Community Health
Center is directed at equalizing the social disparities that exist in our area and that contribute to
poor health outcomes – from improving housing, restaurants and walking trails; developing
more recreational opportunities; to securing jobs that pay a living wage and encouraging
employers to improve benefits such as paid time off.
Chiricahua Community Health Center is in the beginning phases of developing a partnership
with the City of Douglas to address some of these social disparities. Recently, Chiricahua
changed their mission and vision statements to reflect the necessity to view the community
environment as a contributor to wellness. Today, our mission statement is: “Caring for
Patients, Building Healthy Communities” and our vision statement is “Health for ALL.” The
events and partnerships developed because of Border Binational Health Week contribute to
both the vision and our mission for the communities we serve.
II.
Pima County
October 4th -18th, 2014 marked the 14th Annual Celebration of Border Binational Health Week,
celebrated in the United States as well as in many countries in Central and South America.
With support from the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Border Health and
Outreach Office, the Mexican Consulate Ventanilla de Salud Program in Tucson partnered with
El Rio Community Health Center to celebrate this year’s Border Binational Health Week with a
Health Fair on Sunday, October 5th at St. Augustine Cathedral in Downtown Tucson.
Goals
The objective this year’s Border Binational Health Week Celebration was to bring together two
community family events. This allowed an increase in community participation by combining
the Health Fair with St. Augustine’s Annual Family Festival.
Partnerships
This year several partners, such as Walgreen’s, offered Free Flu shots and launched the Flu Shot
Campaign. Bernal Chiropractic brought their portable massage chairs and offered free
massages as well as evaluations. Students from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy
offered an assortment of screenings, such as glucose, cholesterol, asthma, blood pressure, body
mass index, and an osteoporosis questionnaire. They also offered educational booths for
smoking cessation, vaccinations, and medication reviews. Tucson Medical Center’s “Desert Kids
Safety Program” offered free booster seats for those families with small children. The
Consulado de Mexico in Tucson offered information regarding community programs available
for Mexican Nationals residing in Pima and Pinal County.
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Outcomes
This year’s celebration was the first to combine St. Augustine’s Family Festival with a Health
Fair. There was participation of over 2,000 community members. It is estimated that about half
of these participants received medical information, screening service or referral to a medical
home.
Next Steps
The Flu Vaccinations will continue throughout the end of this year. Walgreens will be at the
Mexican Consulate weekly, administering the vaccine at no charge. Each Thursday, a different
community agencies visiting Ventanilla de Salud will offer community resources and
information for the public. Our monthly calendar has been established and can be found at
http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/tucson/index.php/component/content/article/75.
III. Santa Cruz County
Statement of Need
The U.S.-Mexico border region has an exceedingly high rate of diabetes. Arizona Department of
Health Services shows that 9.8% of residents in Santa Cruz County were diagnosed with
diabetes in 2012. Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital showed that diabetes was the sixth-mostcommon cause of death in Santa Cruz County and led to 4% of annual deaths in 2011.
Goal
To decrease the risk of diabetes in our community by providing information, health education
and physical activity opportunities to at-risk community members.
Partnerships
As in the past few years, Mariposa Community Health Center partnered and coordinated
activities with the Mexican Consulate Ventanilla de Salud Program. In addition, three medical
doctors from Nogales, Sonora provided health presentations to community members. All three
providers have private practices; in addition, Dr. Carlos Borquez works for a state run-clinic
(Unidad de Especialidades Medicas en Enfermedades Cronicas), Dr. Laurence Alegria works at a
state-run hospital (ISSSTE- Nogales, Sonora), and Dr. Davis is a member of the Association of
Diabetes and Nutrition (Associacion de Diabetes y Nutriticion).
Events Descriptions
The Border Binational Health Week activities coordinated by Mariposa Community Health
Center, in partnership with the Mexican Consulate, began at the Mexican Consulate in Nogales,
Arizona with a presentation provided by Dr. Carlos Borquez on October 6th. His talk focused on
Obesity and Diabetes, and 36 people attended. This was followed by aerobics and yoga where
20 people joined in. The presentation on the Affordable Care Act was delivered by a trained
Mariposa Education and Outreach staff member on October 7th where 26 participants
attended; fifteen of them stayed to enjoy the rhumba and yoga sessions. On October 8th, Dr.
Laurence Alegria gave a talk on influenza that 33 people attended. This was followed by
aerobics and yoga, where 30 people engaged in physical activity. On October 9th Dr. Davis
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Arizona Outreach Office Comprehensive State Report
talked about preventing obesity to 41 participants. Again, this was followed by Rhumba and
Yoga sessions (20 participants). The last day of activities was October 10 and a health screening
event attracted 81 people who came to get their cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and BMI
taken at the Consulate. In all 324 screenings were performed on the 81 people.
Outcomes
In total, 217 people attended the educational presentations and 85 people participated in the
physical activity sessions. In all, 324 screenings were performed on the 81 people. Lastly, 30
people participated in the bicycle event, which concluded BBHW activities.
Next steps
We will continue to strengthen our cross-border partnerships and work together to reduce the
incidence of diabetes in our border communities.
III.
Yuma County
During the month of October 2014, Campesinos Sin Fronteras collaborated with community
organizations and leaders to offer educational sessions, forums, and workshops that helped
strengthen existing collaborations and develop new partnerships among the rural communities
of Yuma County.
On Friday October 3rd, the Mexican Consulate of Yuma conducted a kick-off of the BBHW
activities in Yuma. Then on October 6th, in collaboration with the Secretaria de Salud from San
Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, the official kick-off of activities began at the Friendship Park in San
Luis, AZ with a walk across the border into San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, where we gathered at
the Benito Juarez Park to conduct a mini-health fair. Blood pressure and glucose exams were
conducted for adults that attended. Approximately 500 people walked and participated in the
mini-health fair.
The goal of the events was to provide access to health care, prevention education, and raising
awareness of risk factors for chronic diseases to communities on both sides of the border.
The Binational Diabetes Encounter was a success with more than 240 participants. This event is
held every year because of the great need. The community has reported that because of this
activity, they have been able to learn techniques that help people on both sides of the border.
The work that the promotoras do in strengthening the collaboration with the Seguro Social, the
Secretaria de Salud and other community groups allows for resources and ensures referrals for
people with diabetes to support groups. It is estimated that around 75% of people who
participate in these support groups continue their healthy habits each day, as well as sharing
what they learn with their family members and friends, expanding the work of the promotoras.
An informational session that took place on October 7th was a very good opportunity for people
to gain knowledge about health care and especially how to access services that are supported
through the Seguro Popular health insurance plan in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora. Many of the
persons that attended were able to be pre-screened for the Seguro Popular site, and were
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Arizona Outreach Office Comprehensive State Report
referred to the Seguro Popular office in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora to complete the
enrollment process.
During the Chronic Disease Forum at the Fernando Padilla Community Center, which was
conducted by CSF on October 8th, community members were able to ask questions regarding
chronic diseases to the presenter. Promotoras observed how many participants were interested
in learning how to live healthier lifestyles, and noted that approximately 60 % of participants
shared that they are applying new healthy habits such as improving their diets and staying
active by walking around their block or at the park at least 3 times a week.
Cancer is a disease that is unfortunately more and more frequent in the community, creating a
need to educate about the benefits of early detection of breast cancer in the border area. As a
result of training health promotoras on these issues, promotoras are now be able to convey
better knowledge to the women and men in the community. In the trainings, promotoras were
able to explain how to perform breast self-examinations and encourage participants to learn to
know their bodies and report any changes to their doctor. Promotoras will now be able to talk
about the importance of mammograms and refer persons to agencies that can assist with the
exam, whether or not the client/participant has health insurance, or cannot go to Mexico to
obtain the exam with the Seguro Popular.
In the south Yuma County area, there a need for information about autism. Community
members had requested that a forum on autism be provided to them. The stigmas around
having a child with autism have persisted among the Hispanic community; many families that
have an individual with autism may rarely feel comfortable taking the family member out in
public. For this compelling reason, the first Community Autism Forum in Spanish was provided
to the community of Yuma County on October 14th in San Luis, AZ. The forum was very
successful as the presenter encouraged participants to ask any questions they had during the
conversation. The forum was scheduled to be two hours but ended up lasting three. The
presenter was very knowledgable about the stigmas and the challenges families still face in our
Hispanic/Mexican culture, having published books about the topic and also having a 16-year-old
son with autism. The presenter gave participants her contact information, assuring everyone
that if they still had questions or needed to continue learning about autism that she could assist
them.
The Binational Forum on Domestic Violence (DV) and the Judicial System has been successful
every year, and this year was not different. Judges from San Luis, AZ, Somerton, and the County
Justice of Peace participated in the forum, as well as the Attorney from the DIF of San Luis Rio
Colorado, Sonora. People raised many questions during the forum regarding the aggressive
behavior of "people" in the community (90% of participants referred to their husbands).
According to statistics that were presented, in recent years, the incidence of DV has increased
considerably in the Yuma community. Promotoras invite their group participants to the DV
forum and conduct follow-up meetings after the forum to assure they have all the information
they need, and that they can provide references to support services. Judges reported to CSF
promotoras that since the forum has taken place, they have seen an increase in women
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reporting domestic abuse directly to them. The forum serves as a venue where the participants
are able to get to know the judges personally and felt comfortable talking to them after the
presentations.
For the first time an Alzheimer's Community Forum was held in South Yuma County in Spanish.
The community has been eagerly awaiting this forum since the promotoras announced it.
Participants were able to ask questions to the presenter, and in turn the presenter assured that
all participants left the forum with clear information on Alzheimer's. Because of the success of
the forum, there will be another forum in the near future to assure that any person who was
not able to attend has another opportunity to learn about this disease.
Over 200 women participated in the successful Zumba Zombiethon event. Women learned
about the benefits of exercising, dancing, walking or even gardening. Participants that were not
part of the local gym received a discount card to motivate them to continue participating in the
gym’s physical activity programs.
To promote BBHW events, CSF promotoras developed flyers and collaborated with the local
media to advertise in the Daily News, San Luis Weekly News, Weekly Under the Sun, and
Univision TV channel which promoted all the events via their Calendario Comunitario.
V. Arizona Border Binational Health Week Compilation of Events
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Event
Health Fair
Obesity Diabetes Presentation + Aerobics, Yoga
Affordable Care Act Presentation + Yoga, Rhumba
Influenza Presentation + Aerobics, Yoga
Obesity Presentation + Rhumba, Yoga
Health Screenings
OS3 Bicycle Run
Tuberculosis Symposium
Inauguration + Health Fair
Immunization Campaign
Binational Pink Tea for Cancer Awareness
Press Release
Inauguration + Flu Shots
Diabetes Binational Encounter
Health Insurance Information and Enrollment (x2)
Chronic Disease Forum
Cancer Training for Promotoras
Autism Forum
Zumba - Zombiethon
Domestic Violence Justice Forum
Alzheimer’s Forum
Location
Tucson, AZ
Nogales, AZ
Nogales, AZ
Nogales, AZ
Nogales, AZ
Nogales, AZ
Nogales, AZ
San Luis R.C., Sonora
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis R.C., Sonora
Yuma, AZ
San Luis, AZ and Sonora
San Luis R.C., Sonora
Yuma, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
San Luis, AZ
Total Participants
No. of Participants
1500
36
26
33
41
81
30
160
35
30
150
30
250
200
70; 150
80
20
60
200
100
80
3,362
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VI. Photo Gallery
Above: Participants are not afraid to dance at the Zumba Zombiethon in San Luis, AZ.
Below Left: Partners from El Rio Community Health Center and the Mexican Consulate working at a
BBHW health fair in Tucson, AZ, where 1500 community members attended.
Below Right: Students from the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy assist with health screenings
at El Rio’s health fair in Tucson, AZ.
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Above: Epidemiologists from the Office of Border
Health provide educational materials at the Mexican
Consulate in Nogales, AZ.
Below: BBHW at the Instituto Tecnológico, Nogales,
Sonora.
Free yoga at the Mexican Consulate in Nogales, AZ.
Above: Dr. Davis presents about healthy lifestyles at
the Mexican Consulate, Nogales, AZ.
Below: Campesinos Sin Fronteras staff provide services
at their BBHW health fair.
Promotoras made posters to advertise BBHW in
Yuma County.
Above: The OS3 Bicycle Run in Nogales, AZ.
Below: A well-attended presentation in Yuma
County.
Above: Presentations at the Mexican Consulate
in Nogales, AZ were followed by physical
activities like yoga, rhumba and aerobics.
Above: Mariposa Community Health Center staff
provide info about healthy food at the Mexican
Consulate in Nogales, AZ.
An advertisement for the Domestic
Violence Forum made by promotoras
in Yuma County.
BBHW participants get active with
Campesinos sin Fronteras.