Residents living along the U.S.-Mexico border experience greater rates of communicable illnesses, particularly tuberculosis and vaccine preventable illnesses, than other groups of people across the Nation, primarily due to a lack of clean water and proper sewage disposal. Frequent movement between both countries within the U.S. compromises continuity of health care for residents of this area. Additionally, the four States in the border area have some of the highest rates of poverty, unemployment, and uninsured people in the Nation. To address these challenges, the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Border Health Program (BHP) was established in 1996.

MISSION

The BHP mission is to improve the health status of people living in U.S. communities located within the U.S.-Mexico border area through specific HRSA activities, improved agency coordination, and external partnership development.

ACTIVITIES

The BHP works closely with border health coordinators in HRSA's Dallas and San Francisco Field Offices to manage contracts, develop partnerships, develop the HRSA Border Health Strategic/Spending Plan, and sponsor meetings.

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