# HIV Risk and Access to Health Care Among Mobile Populations

> **NIH NIH R01** · DREXEL UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $649,220

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Mexican migrants traveling through the U.S.-Mexico border region represent a large, highly mobile, and
socially vulnerable subset of Mexican nationals. Population-level health data for this group is hard to obtain
given their geographic dispersion, mobility, and largely undocumented status. Over the last 9 years, we have
adopted a unique migration framework and novel methodological approach to characterize disease burden,
health behaviors, and exposure to protective and risk factors among these migrants. We have implemented
probability surveys of Mexican migrant flows in Tijuana, Mexico, producing population-level health estimates
for migrants in the premigration, transit, destination, interception/deportation, and return phases. To date, we
have examined two health areas: HIV risk and access to health care. Findings from our previous phase have
propelled the establishment of free prevention clinics in five deportation stations along the Mexican border with
funding from the Mexican Secretariat of Health. Over the next 5 years, we propose to continue and expand this
work by (a) extending the survey east to two additional border cities in order to reach migrants traveling from,
through, and to other regions; and (b) examining additional health areas to obtain a more complete picture of
Mexican migrant health. We will conduct 3 probability surveys of migrant flows in Tijuana, Nogales, and Nuevo
Laredo (N=1,200 ea.). In addition to data on health status and health care access, each survey will have a
special focus: 1) HIV and Sexual/Reproductive Health; 2) Non-communicable Disease; and 3) Mental Health
and Substance Use. Interview and biometric data will be obtained to produce population-level estimates of
health care access and health status, investigate variations in access and outcomes across migration phases,
and explore the impact of health care and immigration policies on migrants' health. Ninety survey respondents
will be enrolled in a pilot longitudinal study to test the feasibility of adding a longitudinal dimension to our
methods. This project will consolidate a binational observatory at the Mexico – U.S. border and will generate
critical data on migrant health. The data will become an important resource for migrant health scholars and will
inform policy and programmatic responses to increase access to health care and improve the health status of
migrants in sending, transit, and receiving communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10179431
- **Project number:** 5R01HD046886-12
- **Recipient organization:** DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ana P Martinez-Donate
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $649,220
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-09-13 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10179431

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10179431, HIV Risk and Access to Health Care Among Mobile Populations (5R01HD046886-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10179431. Licensed CC0.

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