187896 INTRODUCTION: Border conflicts and negotiations: A hidden history of public health

Monday, October 27, 2008: 10:30 AM

Anne-Emanuelle Birn, MA, ScD , Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kirby Randolph, PhD , History and Philosophy of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical School, Kansas City, KS
More than just a frontier between two culturally different nations, the U.S-Mexico border is a most challenging area that defies the traditional theories of sociologists, anthropologists, economists and other research scientists. Current conflicts regarding the role of the border in national politics, migration policy, and economic relations of U.S. and Mexico demand a careful analysis of its historical record of conflicts, deportations, and negotiations. This session analyzes the historical role of this border area both as a promoter and a deterrent of public health policy and practice, and its consequence for social justice in health.

Learning Objectives:
Recognize the role of history in understanding current debates related to migration, deportation, commerce and public health.

Keywords: History, Migrant Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have expertise in this arena and experience as a moderator and session chair
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.