Cross-Border Collaborative Outreach Efforts
Administration and Reading of PPDs in the Field by Trained Outreach Workers
Hosting a Health Fair with the Mexican Consulate
Cross-Border Collaborative Outreach Efforts
2006, Hudson River HealthCare, Inc.
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Hudson River HealthCare has partnered with a health department in Oaxaca, Mexico in response to the discovery of a large underground migrant population in its service area originating from Oaxaca. HRHCare signed an agreement with the Oaxacan Secretary of Health to collaborate in any way possible and arranged for some of its staff to visit the village in Oaxaca that is the home-base for farmworkers in HRHCare’s service area. HRHCare tries to serve as a link by maintaining contact and sharing information with the appropriate local Mexican health departments. In several cases, HRHCare informed their Mexican health department counterparts when patients under treatment would return home so that they could continue to provide care to them upon their return.
HRHCare has truly redefined the geographic limits of farmworker outreach by communicating directly with the health system in the sending state in Mexico. As a result of this initiative, HRHCare staff members are better able to understand their farmworker populations as well as increase the chance that their farmworker patients will receive follow-up care once they return home. In addition, HRHCare staff members have appreciated the opportunity to get to know their colleagues in Mexico, and to mitigate the effects of the US-Mexico border as a barrier to providing quality care.
Administration and Reading of PPDs in the Field by Trained Outreach Workers
2005, Elaville Primary Medicine Center.
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Ellaville Primary Medicine Center’s outreach workers conducted tuberculosis screenings with farmworkers in their service area and were able to follow-up with and read PPDs for 88% of those screened. While no active cases of tuberculosis were found, of the 32 farmworkers with positive PPDs, 23 were given copies of their PPD record, chest X-rays, and lab work upon returning to their home bases in Mexico, and five completed a treatment regimen. Two were advised to stop treatment for medical reasons. Prior to beginning the project, outreach workers received training in tuberculosis education and testing, and were able to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health education and case management services to all those screened. Those with positive PPDs received free chest X-rays and lab work, as well as their choice of pick-up location – the local health department or the Ellaville Primary Medicine Center – for monthly prescription refills.
Ellaville Primary Medicine Center set up a tuberculosis screening program that meets individual farmworker needs by administering and reading PPDs in the field, working with patients to determine where they will be when the PPD needs to be read, and then coordinating with growers and crew leaders to assure access to workers in the field. Ellaville staff also provided culturally and linguistically appropriate health education about tuberculosis and the testing process prior to administering all PPDs, as well as provided X-rays, lab work, and antibiotics free of charge to all farmworkers with positive results, and offered a choice of medication pick-up locations. Each of these practices worked together to foster a high return rate for PPDs readings, as well as high compliance with follow-up care.
Hosting a Health Fair with the Mexican Consulate
2005, Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers
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Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers (SJFMC) jointly hosts a health fair each year at the beginning of the migrant season with the Mexican Consulate, drawing participation from area farmworker serving organizations and over 300 farmworkers. Farmworkers in attendance receive health information and health screenings along with passports and identification documents needed for getting bank accounts, employment, and other necessities. SJFMC outreach staff and promotores de salud perform health education skits and provide screenings, health information, and materials from the health center while farmworkers wait in line to meet with consular officials.
Southern Jersey Family Medical Centers has successfully combined two important services for farmworkers, medical and consular services. Through their health fair, SJFMC introduces itself to farmworkers new to the area or previously unaware of all the services offered by SJFMC, as well as reestablishes a relationship with farmworkers who reside or have been in the area before. By providing health services while farmworkers are waiting in line for consular services, SJFMC takes a step further in brining outreach services to farmworkers and makes accessing health services and information even easier for attendees.
