UCSF Global Health Sciences

To improve health and reducing disease worldwide

Skip to content

The Forum

Overview

Global Health Sciences is a cross-campus partnership among the four UCSF schools that draws on the strength of UCSF’s research in biological, clinical, population, social and behavioral sciences, on UCSF’s history of scientific discovery, and on its contributions to national and international health policy. With the motto, “Think globally, act locally, and collaborate internationally,” we set our research and training programs in a global context by considering global threats and common risk factors, sharing ideas and technologies, and contributing to the solution of health problems that affect many countries. At the same time we apply these principles of global thinking locally to benefit the health of people living in California and the United States, and work collaboratively with partners in international institutions, particularly in low-income countries, to support their application of global thinking locally to improve the health of their populations. The first in a series of Forums to be hosted by UCSF’s Global Health Sciences, the 2007/2008 Forum on Migration and Health was a year-long initiative that addressed immigration and migration between Mexico and California.

The Report

The 2007/2008 Forum published a report and policy briefs detailing a research agenda, potential challenges, and recommendations to guide researchers, policy makers, and donors to collaboratively and creatively respond to the emerging healthcare needs of Mexican im/migrants in California. The report outlines a roadmap to enhance current research and develop a bi-national network of policy makers, donors, and researchers to ensure that research is relevant and that its findings inform policies and programs to improve the health of im/migrants in California and Mexico over the coming decades.

Creating a Health Research and Policy Agenda for Im/migration Between Mexico and California

Forum on Migration and Health Context

A Global Phenomenon

Im/migration is a global phenomenon that is influenced by economics and politics, as well environmental changes and other forces. Despite fluctuations in im/migration, the reality is that Latinos, especially of Mexican origin, comprise a significant and increasing percentage of California’s population. In addition to recognizing their economic and cultural contributions in California and Mexico, it is critical that the health and well-being of Mexican im/migrants gains visibility and priority on the part of policy makers, academics, donors, and community organizations on both sides of the border.

The burden of disease, coupled with limited access to health care, confronting these populations not only affects individuals but also challenges the communities and governments where they work and live. If we do not respond to these challenges in a timely manner, the fiscal cost to California and its neighbor to the South will be much higher in the coming decades.

At a Glance: Mexican Im/migration to California

California is home to 39% of all Mexican immigrants in the U.S., half of whom are under 33 years of age. The Latino proportion of California’s population is predicted to rise from 30% in 2000 to 43% by 2040. Mexican immigrant men have the highest U.S. labor force participation rate of any immigrant group (94%); over 80% of agricultural workers in California are Mexican immigrant men. Mexican immigrants use fewer preventive, medical, and dental services than U.S.-born Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. About 50% of Mexican immigrants have no regular source of medical care. These facts challenge Mexican and Californian authorities to identify cost effective and targeted strategies to address the health needs of im/migrants.

Hosts and Sponsors

The 2007/2008 Forum was hosted by UCSF’s Global Health Sciences, and co-hosted this time by UCSF’s Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies and UC Berkeley’s Institute of Business and Economic Research, Health Initiative of the Americas and the California Program on Access to Care. This 2007/2008 Forum was sponsored by The California Endowment and the California HealthCare Foundation, and brought together over 300 representatives from institutions from both California and Mexico.