Faculty Showcase Studies Aim to Reduce Health Disparities at the U.S.-Mexico Border Regions Marylyn Morris McEwen, PhD, APRN , BC Associate Professor mmcewen@nursing.arizona.edu	Dr. Marilyn McEwen (center) on a tour of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) hospital in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico with nursing doctoral students Susan Yount (right) and Guifang Guo (left).

	The goal of my program of research is to reduce Mexican-American health disparities in the US-Mexico border region. The current research focus is on reducing tuberculosis (TB) health disparities in Mexican immigrants at the US-Mexico border. The goal is to construct culturally relevant interventions that increase successful completion of preventive therapy treatment in Mexican immigrants diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). MORE >
	The US-Mexico border, characterized by sharply differentiated development, asymmetrical relationships, cultural heterogeneity, and cross-border interdependence, presents challenges to reducing health disparities experienced by the 11 million residents in this geopolitical region. For example, tuberculosis along the US-Mexico border exceeds the national rate maintaining a reservoir for TB infection. Because of the transnational relocation of Mexican-origin persons in the US borderlands, continued border crossings, the epidemiological shift in LTBI, and the uniqueness of the TB policies in the US and Mexico, it is important to understand the border as context and contributor to TB health disparities. MORE >
	Students interested in studying issues related to US-Mexico border health disparities, examining US and Mexican health care systems, and / or analyzing public health data bases are encouraged to contact Dr. McEwen. Bilingual/bicultural students are encouraged to participate in the conduct of the above research activities. In addition, students interested in participating in Nuestra Comunidad Nuestra Salud training grant for internships, fieldwork, etc, are encouraged to contact Dr. McEwen by email at mmcewen@nursing.arizona.edu.