The U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health Program is an 8-week fellowship based at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Laredo and Harlingen, Texas. The goals of the program are to identify public health challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border, work with Hispanic communities on interventions, and address the needs of underserved border populations. Fellows will participate in workshops and projects related to issues like obesity, tuberculosis, and zoonotic diseases. One fellow will focus on environmental education and asthma programs, while the other will work on initiatives to promote healthy eating and address high obesity rates.

1. U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA)
Laredo/Harlingen, TX
May 8 – July 23 (eight weeks)
The U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health Program is based at one of the HSHPS member
institutions: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio’s extended campuses in Laredo
and Harlingen, TX. The goals of the U.S.-Mexico Border Environmental Health program are:
 identify major factors associated with environmental and public health
 identify unique public health challenges posed by the geographic proximity of a developed
country and a developing country (United States/Mexico);
 work with Hispanic communities to determine effective and culturally appropriate interventions;
 interact appropriately with local, state, and national public health agencies as health professionals
addressing the needs of under-served and disadvantaged Hispanic communities along the Texas-
Mexico border;
 use the experiences of this Fellowship to become informed public health advocates for the
Hispanic community.
In addition to HSHPS Graduate Fellowship Training Program requirements, the two fellows will
participate in workshops and assist UTHSCSA faculty with ongoing projects. Lectures/Field Experiences
include: obesity, tuberculosis, diabetes, zoonotic diseases, etc. The two projects the fellows will work on
are:
The Harlingen campus fellow will be participating in The South Texas Environmental Education
and Research (STEER) program and acquire an increased understanding of contemporary public
health, international health and environmental health concerns, and cultural influences that
directly affect the U.S.-Mexico border residents. The fellow will also be involved in the
Professionally-trained Environmental Ambassadors for Community Health (PEACHES)
Program. The program develops culturally appropriate Spanish language educational materials to
train community health workers (promotoras) understand, evaluate, and teach families of children
with asthma and indoor asthma triggers. Fellow will acquire general knowledge of health issues
that this area is facing.
The Laredo campus fellow will focus on ongoing community initiatives to promote Healthy
Eating and Active Living (HEAL). The HEAL project was created to address issues addressing
the disproportionately high prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the Laredo community. The
Training Program will allow the fellow to develop and pilot test a curriculum for training Youth
Healthy Living Ambassadors that will be able to assist members of the newly established Health
Eating Active Living Initiative (HEAL) in conducting programs. Former fellows have been able
to develop a HEAL, as well as a grant proposal for the Rio Grande International Study Center
(RGISC).
ELGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 Education Level: graduate level health profession students and recent graduates
 Spanish Proficiency on ILR Proficiency Scale: Level 4 Full Professional Working Proficiency
 English Proficiency on ILR Proficiency Scale: Level 3 Professional Working Proficiency
 SPSS Proficiency: Intermediate
 Some knowledge about border health issues
 Experience working with the Hispanic community (minimum six months)

2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 UTHSCSA can assist the fellow with coordinating off campus housing but the fellow would be
responsible for the fees.
 Laredo and Harlingen does not have an extensive public transportation system. We encourage
fellows to bring their own car or rent a car.