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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Larry K. Olsen, DrPH, CHES¹, Robert Czerniak, PhD², and Matthew Banegas, MS¹. (1) Department of Health Science, New Mexico State University, College of Health and Social Services, MSC 3446, 1335 International Mall, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88011, (505) 646-3526, lolsen@nmsu.edu, (2) Associate Dean for Research, New Mexico State University, College of Arts and Sciences, P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3335, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001

Background: WNV currently is spreading extremely rapidly within the Paso del Norte Region. The control of this disease is primarily related to abatement of the environmental factors that propagate mosquitoes.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop an environmental cleanup and education/community–based project specifically designed to remove tires from an identified illegal tire dump site and to educate target populations about the problems related to abandoned tires and their association with West Nile Virus and Dengue Fever.

Significance: This project represents a seminal effort to develop a coalition of university researchers and students, a county road department, the state environmental department, and a binational university department and community members to address the problem of a specific illegal tire dump located in the Paso del Norte region of the US/Mexico Border. The focus was on local action coupled with health protection, community beautification, and literacy.

Methods: Meetings were held with stakeholders, promatoras, and local school personnel to help develop bilingual survey and educational materials. Student groups were solicited to help remove tires as well as gain insight about environmental issues in this community.

Findings: Over 100,000 tires were removed and baled for use in other environmentally sound projects. Community members were unaware of many of the environmental issues associated with abandoned tires. Teachers and school children became intimately involved with educational programs associated with environmental issues.

Conclusions: This project helped meet one of the Healthy Border 2012 goals, and long term effects could be realized.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will describe the process of developing a bi-national community-based coalition to address environmental issues.
• Participants will explain the processes used to develop bilingual environmental educational materials acceptable within the community and schools.

Keywords: Environment, Community Collaboration

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered