Ventanilla de Salud: Reproductive health outreach to Mexican immigrants through the Mexican Consulate

Research has documented the apparent disparities between Hispanics within the U.S. with regard to access to health care and insurance. This is particularly true at the U.S.-Mexico border where the vast majority of Hispanics are of Mexican descent. Recognizing that these individuals trust the Mexican Consulate, a pilot health outreach, information and referral program, Ventanilla de Salud (Windows to Health) was conducted in 2003. The effort targeted Consulate visitors to increase access to general health information. PCI has helped to institutionalize this effort by becoming the lead partner and bringing in over 43 community providers, including reproductive health and family planning, to reach this difficult to reach population. The project provides rich data that may assist in health service planning. VDS data on this vulnerable population shows that over 60% of children (n=3,214) were identified as U.S. citizens and of these over 74% do not have medical coverage or an identified medical home. The following top health concerns were identified; 1) need for medical attention and 2) need for medical attention for their children. Priority health problems identified: need for medical coverage (40%), the need to be seen by a medical provider (31%) and over 5% (unprompted) identified diabetes as their primary health issue. Through this outreach platform PCI has access to over 250 individuals/day the majority of whom have limited access to health and reproductive services. The PCI effort is considered as a model by the Mexican Consulate and replicated whenever possible at the thirteen other Consulates.