Rural Border Health – Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas and provide lessons others have learned. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Effective Examples

Hidalgo Medical Services – Family Support Program
Updated/reviewed April 2023

• Need: To reduce health disparities in two rural/frontier counties in southwest New Mexico.
• Intervention: Community health workers worked with clients to help them better manage their health and promote awareness of healthy lifestyle options in the community.
• Results: Better health outcomes for patients.

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 December 2022

• 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.