A border health crisis at the United States-Mexico border: an urgent call to action

Alexander Tenorio; Linda L Hill; Jay J Doucet

doi:10.1016/j.lana.2024.100676

A border health crisis at the United States-Mexico border: an urgent call to action

Lancet Reg Health Am. 2024 Jan 17:31:100676. doi: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100676. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Authors

Alexander Tenorio¹, Linda L Hill², Jay J Doucet³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
² School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
³ Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.

Abstract

In this Viewpoint, we provide an overview of the worsening trend of traumatic injuries across the United States-Mexico border after its recent fortification and height extension to 30-feet. We further characterize the international factors driving migration and the current U.S. policies and political climate that will allow this public health crisis to progress. Finally, we provide recommendations involving prevention efforts, effective resource allocation, and advocacy that will start addressing the humanitarian and economic consequences of current U.S. border policies and infrastructure.

Keywords: Asylum; Border wall; Health policy; Immigration; Spine injury; Traumatic brain injury; Traumatic injuries.

Publication types

Review