Oral

The proposed session will provide a situation analysis of chronic diseases on the U.S. Mexico Border, concentrated not only in numbers and rates, but also on issues such as social determinants and underlying conditions. It will include a review of strategies and plans currently implemented, successful and promising experiences and lessons learned with community based programs involving Community Health Workers (CHWs) also known as promotores de salud. Innovative experiences will be presented, analyzed and discussed including training CHWs with primary health care professionals, a healthy communities approach going beyond the health sector. The expected outcomes, conclusions and recommendations in promoting health, healthy eating and active living among border communities and to prevent obesity, overweight, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases will be described and analyzed. Presentation and documentation will be provided of current experiences and best practices with CHWs collaborative efforts across border communities, empowering women, working with children and youth, with the schools, housing, parks and recreation, as well as the policy dialogue with city council to adopt and support plans and programs to prevent chronic diseases and promote healthy communities. The role of the PAHO/WHO Border Office in technical cooperation and collaboration with local institutions and communities to improve health on the U.S. Mexico Border and prevent chronic diseases and risk factors will be addressed.

Session Objectives: Analyze and discuss the effectiveness of CHWs collaboration across the U.S. Mexico Border, in prevention and control of chronic diseases. Describe innovative programs, research and evaluation involving CHWs in preventing obesity and diabetes on the U.S. Mexico Border. Describe and explain the role of the PAHO/WHO Border Office in technical cooperation to promote and improve the built environment and active living along the U.S. Mexico Border.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)