Rural Project Examples: U.S.-Mexico Border Region

Effective Examples

Vivir Mejor! (Live Better!) System of Diabetes Prevention and Care

Updated/reviewed August 2022

• Need: To address high rates of diabetes in rural Hispanic/Latino populations near the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Intervention: A comprehensive, culturally competent diabetes education program was implemented in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
• Results: Since 2012, this program has helped participants better manage their diabetes and increase healthy living behaviors.

Promising Examples

Health without Borders

Updated/reviewed January 2024

• Need: To improve the health of communities in the south central region of New Mexico.
• Intervention: A program was developed to specifically address diabetes prevention and control, behavioral healthcare, and immunization in Luna County.
• Results: During the program, 1,500 immunizations were distributed, baseline measurements of participants improved, and 935 new patients were seen for behavioral health issues.

Other Project Examples

FORWARD NM Pathways to Health Careers

Updated/reviewed November 2022

• Need: New Mexico's southwestern counties of Hidalgo, Catron, Luna, and Grant have experienced chronic shortages of primary care providers. New Mexico has the oldest physician population in the country.
• Intervention: A comprehensive workforce pipeline program, including programming for middle and high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, primary care program students, and medical and dental residents.
• Results: The program reaches over 1,000 school-aged students throughout the service areas and provides support for students and medical residents in a variety of healthcare-related programs for rural rotation experiences. FORWARD NM received its designation as an Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in 2012.