Alliance for a Healthy Border /Alianza por una Frontera Saludable

Goal: To improve care for and prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) – two of the most common health challenges facing the Hispanic population

Targeted Area: The U.S. – Mexico border region

Date: 2006 – 2008

Pfizer's Commitment: $4.5 million over 3 years to support 12 federally qualified community health centers in the U.S. as well as several nonprofit organizations in Mexico as they establish or expand prevention programs designed to reduce the incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among the Hispanic population

Partners: National Association of Community Health Centers, University of Texas – Pan American and local partners in the following states: (Arizona) El Rio Community Health Center in Tucson and Mariposa Community Health Center in Nogales; (California) Clinicas de Salud del Pueblo in Calexico, La Maestra Community Health Center and Family Health Centers in San Diego and San Ysidro Health Center in San Ysidro; (New Mexico) Ben Archer Health Center in Columbus and La Clinica de Familia in Las Cruces; (Texas) Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe in El Paso, United Medical Center in Eagle Pass, Gateway Community Health Center in Laredo and Nuestra Clinica del Valle in Pharr

Successes:

• More than 50,000 individuals have been reached with diabetes and CVD prevention messages.
• The University of Texas – Pan American has evaluated a subset of program participants and has reported increases in healthy eating habits and exercise resulting in weight loss and lower blood sugar levels.
• A conference focused on strengthening the capacity of health care organizations to deliver effective diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention programs in the U.S.– Mexico border region involved the participation of more than 170 people representing 70 community health centers, government agencies and Latino organizations.