ABSTRACT
Los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA) han adquirido relevancia en la pediatría chilena. Su tratamiento debe ser realizado, de preferencia, por equipos multidisciplinarios especializados o con alto grado de capacitación en la problemática. Sin embargo, los pediatras generales tienen un rol fundamental tanto en la prevención como en la pesquisa temprana de estas patologías. El objetivo de esta publicación es proporcionarles recomendaciones prácticas sobre las intervenciones que pueden llevar a cabo durante la atención de adolescentes, para la prevención de los TCA, la pesquisa precoz y evaluación de quienes ya los presentan, y su derivación oportuna a tratamiento especializado.
Eating disorders (ED) have become relevant in Chilean pediatrics. Their treatment must be prefe rably carried out by multidisciplinary teams with specialty or a high degree of training in the pro blem. However, general pediatricians have a fundamental role both in the prevention and in the early detection of these pathologies. The purpose of this publication is to provide them with practical recommendations on interventions that can be carried out during adolescent care for the prevention of ED, the early detection and evaluation of those who already have them, and their timely referral to specialized treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adolescent , Pediatrics/methods , Pediatrics/standards , Physician's Role/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosis , Feeding and Eating Disorders/etiology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy , Pediatricians/standards , Pediatricians/psychology , Patient Care Team , Physical Examination/methods , Physical Examination/standards , Physician-Patient Relations , Primary Prevention/methods , Primary Prevention/standards , Referral and Consultation , Chile , Risk Factors , Early Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Medical History Taking/methods , Medical History Taking/standardsABSTRACT
Eating disorders (ED) have become relevant in Chilean pediatrics. Their treatment must be prefe rably carried out by multidisciplinary teams with specialty or a high degree of training in the pro blem. However, general pediatricians have a fundamental role both in the prevention and in the early detection of these pathologies. The purpose of this publication is to provide them with practical recommendations on interventions that can be carried out during adolescent care for the prevention of ED, the early detection and evaluation of those who already have them, and their timely referral to specialized treatment.
Subject(s)
Feeding and Eating Disorders , Pediatricians , Pediatrics , Physician's Role , Adolescent , Chile , Diagnosis, Differential , Early Diagnosis , Feeding and Eating Disorders/diagnosis , Feeding and Eating Disorders/etiology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/therapy , Humans , Medical History Taking/methods , Medical History Taking/standards , Patient Care Team , Pediatricians/psychology , Pediatricians/standards , Pediatrics/methods , Pediatrics/standards , Physical Examination/methods , Physical Examination/standards , Physician's Role/psychology , Physician-Patient Relations , Primary Prevention/methods , Primary Prevention/standards , Referral and Consultation , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Humans , Primary Prevention/standards , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Patient-Centered Care/standards , Decision Making , Socioeconomic Factors , Body Mass Index , Aspirin/standards , Risk Assessment/standards , Tobacco Use Cessation , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control , Sedentary Behavior , Diet, Food, and Nutrition , Hypercholesterolemia/complications , Hypertension/complications , Motor Activity , Obesity/prevention & controlABSTRACT
In Mexico, osteoporosis is a public health problem. In this document, the Mexican Association for Bone and Mineral Metabolism defines its position on calcium, vitamin D supplement use, and physical activity as an effective, safe, and cost-effective initiatives to prevent low bone mass. INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, osteoporosis is a public health problem that is expected to increase in the decades ahead. Generally, modifiable risk factors for bone health are related with lifestyles, especially nutrition and physical activity. METHODS: In this position paper, the Mexican Association for Bone and Mineral Metabolism (AMMOM, by its acronym in Spanish), which is a multidisciplinary group of researchers, dietitians, epidemiologists, nurses, and physicians who study bone and related tissues and communicate the best strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of bone problems, aims to analyze the association between nutrition and bone health, risk behaviors for low bone mass, and the economic impact that prevention of low bone mass represents for the health care system. RESULTS: Addressing therapeutic management with pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, we emphasize the important role the patient plays in the doctor-patient relationship, both in the consulting room and in daily life. Furthermore, the AMMOM defines its position on calcium and vitamin D supplement use as an effective, safe, and cost-effective initiative to prevent low bone mass. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, most research and clinical practice related to osteoporosis have focused on diagnosis and treatment, but general measures for primary prevention based on addressing modifiable risk factors as a public health priority to delay the onset of loss of bone mass have not been considered by Mexican authorities. Consequently, the AMMOM task force also seeks to provide information on concrete actions to prevent low bone mass.
Subject(s)
Osteoporosis/prevention & control , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Primary Prevention/standards , Advisory Committees , Bone Density , Calcium, Dietary/therapeutic use , Dietary Supplements/standards , Exercise , Female , Humans , Life Style , Male , Mexico , Physician-Patient Relations , Risk Factors , Vitamin D/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The American Academy of Nursing has identified toxic stress in childhood as a health policy concern of high priority. Adult diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease) should be viewed as developmental disorders that begin early in life that could be reduced with the alleviation of toxic stress in childhood. The provision of human milk/breastfeeding is an evidence-based intervention that may hold the greatest potential to mitigate the effects of toxic stress from the moment of birth. Assisting families to make an informed choice to initiate and continue breastfeeding from birth has the potential to address both the disparity in the quality of nutrition provided infants and the economic stress experienced by families who purchase formula. The Expert Panel on Breastfeeding endorses initiatives to improve the initiation, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding to mitigate the effects of toxic stress in this call to action for research to build the evidence to support these critical relationships.
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding/psychology , Milk, Human/chemistry , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Primary Prevention/standards , Stress, Physiological , Adult , Female , Hazardous Substances , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , United StatesABSTRACT
The increasing global stroke burden strongly suggests that currently implemented primary stroke prevention strategies are not sufficiently effective, and new primary prevention strategies with larger effect sizes are needed. Here, we review the latest stroke epidemiology literature, with an emphasis on the recently published Global Burden of Disease 2013 Study estimates; highlight the problems with current primary stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention strategies; and outline new developments in primary stroke and CVD prevention. We also suggest key priorities for the future, including comprehensive prevention strategies that target people at all levels of CVD risk; implementation of an integrated approach to promote healthy behaviours and reduce health disparities; capitalizing on information technology to advance prevention approaches and techniques; and incorporation of culturally appropriate education about healthy lifestyles into standard education curricula early in life. Given the already immense and fast-increasing burden of stroke and other major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which threatens worldwide sustainability, governments of all countries should develop and implement an emergency action plan addressing the primary prevention of NCDs, possibly including taxation strategies to tackle unhealthy behaviours that increase the risk of stroke and other NCDs.
Subject(s)
Global Health/standards , Primary Prevention/methods , Primary Prevention/standards , Stroke/epidemiology , Stroke/prevention & control , Humans , Stroke/mortalityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) increases Medicaid physician fees for preventive care up to Medicare rates for 2013 and 2014. The purpose of this paper was to model the relationship between Medicaid preventive care payment rates and the use of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-recommended preventive care use among Medicaid enrollees. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SESSION: We used data from the 2003 and 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), a national probability sample of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population, linked to Kaiser state Medicaid benefits data, including the state Medicaid-to-Medicare physician fee ratio in 2003 and 2008. STUDY DESIGN: Probit models were used to estimate the probability that eligible individuals received one of five USPSF-recommended preventive services. A difference-in-difference model was used to separate out the effect of changes in the Medicaid payment rate and other factors. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS: Data were linked using state identifiers. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Although Medicaid enrollees had a lower rate of use of the five preventive services in univariate analysis, neither Medicaid enrollment nor changes in Medicaid payment rates had statistically significant effects on meeting screening recommendations for the five screenings. The results were robust to a number of different sensitivity tests. Individual and state characteristics were significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that although temporary changes in primary care provider payments for preventive services for Medicaid enrollees may have other desirable effects, they are unlikely to substantially increase the use of these selected USPSTF-recommended preventive care services among Medicaid enrollees.
Subject(s)
Fees and Charges/legislation & jurisprudence , Medicaid/economics , Physicians, Primary Care/economics , Primary Prevention/economics , Adult , Aged , Female , Health Care Surveys , Health Services Needs and Demand/economics , Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act , Primary Prevention/standards , Primary Prevention/statistics & numerical data , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
This study characterized the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Quito, Ecuador and contrasted risk patterns with other STI's. 416 MSM ages 15 years and older were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in 2010-2011. Biological testing and a self-interview survey assessed HIV and STI infections and risk behaviors. Analysis incorporated recruiter-level variables and clustering adjustments to control for recruitment patterns. We identify high levels of HIV (11 %), HSV-2 (14 %) and active syphilis (5.5 %) infections, low levels of lifetime HIV testing (57 %), limited knowledge of HIV and STI's (<48 %) and limited consistent condom use independent of partner type (<40 %). Sex work was associated with all infections while associations with residential location, how casual partners are met and other variables, varied. Scale-up of behavioral prevention and HIV testing is urgently needed. Interventions should target male sex workers and exploit differential patterns of HIV-STI risk to stay ahead of the epidemic.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/epidemiology , Health Services Needs and Demand , Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data , Primary Prevention/organization & administration , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Ecuador/epidemiology , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/psychology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Herpes Genitalis/epidemiology , Herpes Simplex/epidemiology , Herpesvirus 2, Human , Humans , Male , Primary Prevention/standards , Risk-Taking , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/psychology , Syphilis/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In this longitudinal cohort study we evaluated the congenital transmission of Chagas disease (CD) in a nonendemic area. The aim of this work was to analyze the predictive value of a Trypanosoma cruzi-positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result in pregnant women for the diagnosis of vertical transmission and to evaluate the use of PCR as a tool for early detection of infection. METHODS: The offspring of 59 seropositive pregnant mothers were followed up. The parasitological status of mothers was studied by PCR in a total of 64 pregnancies; 10 of these women had received treatment before pregnancy. Sixty-five infants (including a pair of twins) were monitored at 0, 6, 9, and 12 months of age by PCR and serology. In cases of congenital transmission, hemoculture and parasite lineage typing were performed. RESULTS: Nine infants had acquired CD congenitally. This represents a transmission rate of 13.8% among seropositive mothers (9 infected newborns of 65 total live births). All infants were infected with T. cruzi discrete typing unit V strain. A statistically significant correlation was found between T. cruzi vertical transmission and a positive PCR result during pregnancy (31%; 9 infected newborns in 29 live births). No infected infants were detected among 10 mothers who were treated before they became pregnant, compared with 16.4% (9 of 55 live births) among untreated mothers. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is a useful tool for the detection of congenital CD, and the treatment of infected women of childbearing age seems to be useful for preventing vertical transmission.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease/transmission , Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control , Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/prevention & control , Primary Prevention/methods , Trypanosoma cruzi/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Bolivia , Cohort Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Paraguay , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Predictive Value of Tests , Pregnancy , Primary Prevention/standards , Risk Factors , Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics , Young AdultABSTRACT
O ICD Register da Medtronic foi introduzido na América Latina com a finalidade de coletar dados relacionados à indicação de implantes de CDI para prevenção primária e secundária de morte súbita e ao acompanhamento de pacientes originários de Porto Rico, Caribe. México e América do Sul. Além dessa ampla variedade geográfica, também foram incluídos detalhes referentes aos cuidados de saúde recebidos como parte do tratamento. O presente estudo apresenta as características de desfecho de 910 portadores de cardiopatias tratados para prevenção primária, em comparação com aqueles nos quais o implante destinou-se à prevenção secundária.
The ICD Register was introduced to Latin America to collect data related to implant indication of ICD for the prevention of primary and secondary deaths and for the follow-up of patients from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. In addition to this vast geographic variety, information related to the health care as part of the treatment has also been included. This study shows the characteristics of the outcome of 910 cardiopathy patients treated for primary prevention, incomparison to those whose implants were meant for secondary prevention.
El ICD Register de Medtronic fue introducido en América Latina a fin de recoger datos relacionados a la indicación de implantes de CDI para la prevención primaria y secundaria de muerte súbita y a la remisión de pacientes provenientes de Puerto Rico, Caribe, México y Sudamérica. Ademásde esa amplia variedad geográfica, también se incluyeron detalles referentes a los cuidados de saludrecibidos como parte del tratamiento. El presente estudio presenta las características de solución de 910 portadores de cardiopatías tratados para la prevención primaria, en comparación con aquellos cuyo implante se destinó a la prevención secundaria.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adult , Aged , Heart Diseases/therapy , Death, Sudden , Defibrillators, Implantable/standards , Multicenter Studies as Topic/classification , Primary Prevention/standards , Secondary Prevention/standardsSubject(s)
Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Primary Prevention/standards , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/standards , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , Brazil , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Primary Prevention/methods , Risk Assessment/methods , Risk Assessment/standards , Young AdultSubject(s)
Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , C-Reactive Protein/analysis , Primary Prevention/standards , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic/standards , Atherosclerosis/diagnosis , Biomarkers/blood , Brazil , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Primary Prevention/methods , Risk Assessment/methods , Risk Assessment/standards , Young AdultABSTRACT
Foram revisados os principais artigos que discutem conceitualmente ou empiricamente as listas de causas de morte evitáveis (CME) por ações efetivas dos serviços de saúde, publicados entre 1975 e 2004. O objetivo foi rever o conceito, a idade limite a ser considerada, os usos e tipos de análises e as classificações propostas para as CME. Além disso, foram revisadas as listas existentes de CME, com especial destaque à mortalidade infantil e perinatal. Identificou-se extensa publicação internacional, em contraste com escasso número de artigos nacionais. As CME podem ser definidas como aquelas que são totalmente ou parcialmente prevenidas pela efetiva ação dos serviços de saúde disponível (ou acessível) em um determinado local e momento histórico. Dessa forma, essas causas devem ser revisadas à luz da evolução do conhecimento e da tecnologia disponível para a prática da atenção à saúde. São discutidos os processos que poderiam apoiar o desenvolvimento de listas adequadas para o Brasil, incluindo definição das CME, validação e detalhamento de quesitos necessários para o aprofundamento do debate. Conclui-se que, apesar das dificuldades metodológicas, existe a necessidade de se iniciar processos para a definição das listas brasileiras de CME pela ação do Sistema Unico de Saúde brasileiro.
Theoretical and empirical articles analyzing the Causes of Avoidable Mortality (CAM) due to healthcare published between 1975 and 2004 were reviewed. The purpose was to review the concepts and age limits for these analyses, as well as the uses and types of indicators and ratings for the CAM. Additionally, CAM listings for infant and perinatal mortality were reviewed. Many international articles were found, contrasting with a very small number of Brazilian articles. CAM may be conceptualized as being totally or partially preventable by the effective healthcare measures available (or accessible) at a given time and place. Consequently, these CAM lists must be reviewed, based on the knowledge and improvements in healthcare technology. Further developments should be deployed in support of adequate Brazilian listings, including the definition of CAM, with validation and details regarding the underlying assumptions in order to encourage discussions in greater depth. In conclusion, and despite some methodological difficulties, a process should be launched to define the Brazilian CAM listings through the actions of Brazil's National Health System.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child , Infant Mortality/trends , Perinatal Mortality , Primary Prevention/standards , Cause of Death/trendsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: to enhance the delivery of services, using continuous quality improvement, and an outreach strategy. DESIGN AND SETTING: pre and post measurements in a Primary Health Care system in El Salvador. Outcome indicators: women screened for the first time in their lifetime, unsatisfactory samples, turnaround time, and follow-up. INTERVENTION: involvement of policy, service provision and community levels in 4 plan-do-study-act cycles, facilitating linkages between work processes and a quality control group. RESULTS: 3,408 women screened for the first time in their lifetime in 1 year in regular services; unsatisfactory samples reduced by 1/2; turnaround time reduced by almost 1/3; follow-up increased from 24% (22/90) to 100% (196/196) .146 of the 151 women cytologically defined as low and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (L-HSIL) were confirmed on histology as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), while 5 showed benign changes. Of the 43 women classified as having high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on cytology, 36 were diagnosed with CIN2 lesions, 7 with CIN3 and 2 were confirmed with invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSION: improvements in delivery of screening can be made with few additional resources in the absence of an organized system. We promoted linkages between detection and diagnosis through enhancement of teamwork and functional coordination, which improved follow-up rates. We restored links between screening and reading processes through minor adjustments, which improved the turnaround time of samples. Trained outreach workers created new links between community and health services, identifying women who had never been screened before in their lives and facilitating their access to regular clinic services.
Subject(s)
Mass Screening/standards , Primary Prevention/standards , Total Quality Management/methods , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/prevention & control , Women's Health Services/standards , Adult , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/standards , Community-Institutional Relations , Developing Countries , El Salvador , Female , Humans , Mass Screening/organization & administration , Middle Aged , Pan American Health Organization , Patient Care Team , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Primary Prevention/organization & administration , Public Health Administration/standards , Time Factors , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology , Women's Health Services/organization & administrationABSTRACT
En nuestro medio no existen planes de prevención en salud oral destinados a los bebés y tampoco el odontólogo controla al niño durante su primer año que es cuando se detectan las alteraciones fisiológicas o patológicas, y es cuando se puede encarar mejor los problemas sobre todo con un componente preventivo.
Subject(s)
Infant, Newborn , Health Education, Dental/standards , Preventive Dentistry/education , Oral Health/standards , Oral Hygiene/standards , Primary Prevention/standardsABSTRACT
This study draws on an ecological framework in testing relationships between individual, family, and community characteristics and the likelihood of women experiencing domestic violence in Peru. The sample of 15,991 women was taken from the 2000 Peru Demographic and Health Survey. Logistic regression models revealed that at the individual level, low educational attainment, early union formation, and a violent family background increase a woman's likelihood of abuse. Family-level risk markers include cohabitation, large family size, partner alcohol consumption, employment, and a woman's having higher status than her husband. At the community level, living in a noncoastal area and having an urban residence increase the likelihood of abuse.
Subject(s)
Battered Women/statistics & numerical data , Cultural Characteristics , Spouse Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Women's Health , Women's Rights , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Attitude to Health , Battered Women/psychology , Educational Status , Family Relations , Female , Health Education/standards , Humans , Logistic Models , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Peru/epidemiology , Primary Prevention/standards , Research Design , Risk Factors , Spouse Abuse/prevention & control , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study examined Portuguese-speaking women's definitions of wife abuse and beliefs about appropriate responses to abuse. The goals were to determine the breadth of definitions and to examine cultural stereotyping. This information was sought in an effort to design education strategies in the Portuguese-speaking community. METHODS: One-on-one semistructured interviews were conducted with 163 Portuguese-speaking women living in Toronto, Canada. The participants' open-ended answers were first coded using Qualitative Software Research NUDIST and then narrowed and grouped. Responses were then tagged by group label to generate descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. RESULTS: Participants defined wife abuse broadly with respect to kind, prevalence, and severity. Six themes for abuse emerged: physical, psychological, sexual, financial, patriarchal, and infidelity. Participants provided various responses to what women should do and actually do in response to abuse. Most participants believed that Portuguese-speaking women should leave their husbands and/or seek help for the abuse, but that they actually remain quiet about the abuse and take very little action. Their responses and explanations demonstrate that they hold stereotypes about their culture. CONCLUSIONS: The range of definitions reported by participants suggests that a continuum of wife abuse, using Portuguese-speaking women's own words, can be created to educate them about how abusive acts are linked and used to maintain control over women. The differences that emerged with respect to appropriate responses to abuse suggest that it may be important to challenge Portuguese-speaking women about the cultural stereotypes that they hold to help them see patriarchy as widespread rather than particular to their culture.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health/ethnology , Battered Women/psychology , Primary Prevention/standards , Spouse Abuse/ethnology , Spouse Abuse/prevention & control , Women's Health/ethnology , Adult , Battered Women/statistics & numerical data , Brazil/ethnology , Cultural Characteristics , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Ontario , Portugal/ethnology , Primary Prevention/statistics & numerical data , Social Values , Spouse Abuse/psychology , Spouse Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Stereotyping , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
El artículo es una revisión de la autora, para mostrar a las mujeres la importancia de la actividad física introyectada en el diario vivir y más enfocada hacia el cambio comportamental al que se debe llegar, para tener, a través de ella, una actitud preventiva en contra o a favor de la salud. Parte de unos interrogantes que aún las mujeres se hacen, para tomar determinaciones de sus actitudes frente a la actividad física. Muestra resultados de estudios practicados en otros países del mundo, pero también reporta datos de investigaciones realizadas en el contexto. Además, incluye los beneficios físicos, psicológicos y emocionales que la actividad física puede aportar a todas las personas. El objetivo es mostrar, al género femenino, indicadores sólidos y comportamientos preventivos, que orienten a favor de la actividad física, con planteamientos acerca de las diferentes posibilidades para realizar la actividad física y sobre su importancia.
Subject(s)
Primary Prevention/education , Primary Prevention/methods , Primary Prevention/standards , Professional Practice/trends , Women's Health , Exercise Therapy/education , Exercise Therapy/methods , Exercise Therapy/trendsABSTRACT
Healthy Border (HB) 2010 is the health promotion and disease prevention agenda through the year 2010 of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission (BHC). On the United States side, it draws from the Healthy People (HP) 2010 objectives, identifying those most important and relevant for the border. The BHC has harmonized the list of objectives from both countries into a set of 19 that will be monitored and addressed in a collaborative manner. HB provides a framework for describing the border region's health and comparing with others. For this report, available data were collected for the HB indicators for San Diego and Imperial counties, and for California. Data on Latino populations were considered a proxy for Mexican-Americans and people of Mexican origin in California, because more specific data are not available. Results are presented on the 14 indicators for which the data were most complete. Those of most concern include access to health care and tuberculosis in both counties, plus motor vehicle crash injury deaths and asthma hospitalizations in Imperial. These issues should be given priority attention. Conversely, the region's and Latinos' experience with breast cancer mortality and infant mortality is favorable. Recommendations include binational collaborations in assessing and improving the health of our border communities.