U.S.-Mexico Cross-Border Public Health Workforce Training Needs Assessment
Author Information
Author(s): Cecilia B. Rosales, Nuno Tomas, Dieke Ada, Francisco Navarro Galvez, Ronald J. Dutton, Robert Guerrero, Paul Dulin, Elisa Aguilar Jiménez, Brenda Granillo, Jill Guernsey de Zapien
Primary Institution: University of Arizona Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health
Hypothesis
What are the training needs of the U.S.-Mexico border states public health workforce?
Conclusion
The study highlights the need to enhance the border competency skills of public health workers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Supporting Evidence
- 80% of respondents worked for agencies serving both rural and urban communities.
- 35% were employed by state health departments.
- Only a minority felt well prepared in Core Bioterrorism competencies.
- None of the border competency indicators scored higher than 70% in importance.
Takeaway
This study looked at what public health workers on the U.S.-Mexico border need to learn to be better prepared for emergencies.
Methodology
An online survey was conducted to assess training needs among public health workers in U.S. and Mexico border states.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to distrust between U.S. and Mexican health professionals.
Limitations
Funding limited the survey to only six border states, and the response rate was low.
Participant Demographics
Participants included public health workers from Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, Sonora, and Chihuahua, with a majority being from Arizona and Texas.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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