Blurr Borders: Table of Contents

Issues, Impacts AND Solutions: Health

Issue
Binational Impact
Solution

Increased human migration and the prevalence of a cross-border sex trade industry

Contributes to an increase incidence of HIV/AIDS in the San Diego-Tijuana area. In 2002, Baja California had the 6th highest incidence of AIDS among Mexican states, at 68.89 cases per 100,000. In the period 1999-2001, San Diego had the 6th highest incidence of AIDS among California counties.

In the San Diego/Tijuana region, the Binational AIDS Advocacy Project is working to improve binational HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. UCSD Medical School is also now exploring ways to increase their outreach and support to this critical area with plans to work collaboratively with UABC Medical School across the border. Additional HIV/AIDS related outreach is being undertaken by Project Concern's Border Health Initiative and Fronteras Unidads Pro Salud.

Growth of slums or colonia populares in Tijuana and migrant worker camps in San Diego County.

Increased incidence of water borne and infectious diseases including TB and Hepitatis. Poverty is a key driver in cross border migration. Rising migration results in an increase in cross-border transmission of infectous diseases.

Project Concern's Border Health Initiative (BHI) and San Ysidro Health Clinic have been working pro-actively to counter-act the spread of tuberculosis in the San Diego-Tijuana region.

Under investment in culturally competent health education in Baja California and in migrant communities of San Diego County

Increased incidence of otherwise preventable diseases on both sides of the San Diego/Tijuana Border. Tijuana based Fronteras Unidads Pro-Salud is providing culturally competent health education to migrant communities in Greater Tijuana and is providing teaching materials to Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties.

Rising healthcare costs in San Diego

San Diegans purchase medicine and medical services in Tijuana. Results in "crowding out" of available medical services for Tijuanenses.

Hospital Infantil de las Californias in Tijuana is providing a growing number of San Diego Hispanic residents with cost effective, culturally competent care at its facility in Tijuana. In San Diego County, North County Health Services and San Ysidro Health Center provides health care and health education to low to moderate-income people including: Prenatal care, pediatrics, general medicine, AIDS care, seniors and health education.
Medi-Cal policies for uninsured creates growing unfunded mandates for San Diego area health care providers

For some uninsured, undocumented residents and Tijuana resident border crossers, Medi-Cal provides emergency medical services that would otherwise be unaffordable.

This issue remains unresolved with unfunded mandates growing for U.S. border counties like San Diego and Imperial.

Lack of enforcement against and promotion of under-age drinking in Tijuana/Rosarito bars/night clubs

Increased youth delinquency, substance abuse and driving under the influence impacts both sides of the border.

Public Strategies (National City) and the Drug-Free Border Coalition are two NGOs that are working pro-actively to address this binational problem.