Mexico, the most populated Spanish speaking country in the world, retains influences from Mayan and Aztec culture, as well as remnants of European colonialism. Mexico has experienced rapid changes over the past century, including industrialization, urbanization, and movement towards a more open democracy. Yet far from Mexico’s developed urban areas is the southern state of Oaxaca, home to four magnificent mountain ranges, which likely contributed to much of the state being inaccessible and remaining largely indigenous. Oaxaca is one of the most under-served regions in the country, with 52% of Oaxacans living in rural areas. An estimated 42% of Oaxacans have no access to healthcare and in 2012 the maternal mortality rate of 103 per 100,000 live births was nearly double that of the country's rate. The average Oaxacan lives on less than $1.25 a day.

To grasp the magnitude of healthcare challenges of those living in Puerto and that Oaxacans as a whole face, CFHI participants will rotate alongside local health professionals in government run primary care clinics, known as Centros de Salud, visit a secondary level hospital and a reputable traditional midwife, and participate in a vector disease control program. The focus of the program is on community-based care and access to primary care services provided to low-income populations. Participants may also take part in monthly educational workshops for mothers as part of the internationally recognized Opportunidades, a comprehensive government assistance program aimed at decreasing poverty and improving health and education amongst women and children.
 

Puerto Escondido, meaning hidden port and commonly known as Puerto, is an idyllic setting on the southern coast of Oaxaca, home to over 70,000 inhabitants and spectacular tropical beaches, coastal lagoons, and a vibrant night life. It has preserved its small town charm, reliant on local fisheries and markets, even as a popular surf hub for some of the world’s most renowned surfers. Yet despite the idyllic setting, health challenges such as infectious disease, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, poor sanitation and hygiene persist. Teen pregnancy and domestic violence are common - 39% of girls in Oaxaca marry in their teens due to cultural attitudes, adherence to traditional gender roles, and lack of education.

Clinical Rotations & Public Health Placements

Centros de Salud | Government Primary Care Clinics- Located in and around Puerto, from Colonia Lazaro to Rio Grande, these government-run primary care clinics provide comprehensive care-prevention, health education, disease detention and treatment, and reproductive health. CFHI participants will rotate alongside local health professionals in a variety of different specialties including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and preventive medicine to increase understanding of community-based care.

Participants may also take part in an internationally recognized community health educational program - Opportunidades - a comprehensive government assistance program geared towards women and aimed at decreasing poverty and improving health and education. The success of this program has lead to it being replicated worldwide.

Secretaria de Salud | Vector Control Program- This facility maintains rural health campaigns along the Oaxacan coast, from Pinotepa to Huatulco. The Oaxacan Ministry of Health teamed with community members to raise awareness about the dangers caused by mosquitoes and how to prevent malaria, dengue, and chagas. Since 1980, the Vector Control Program, or Coordinacion de Vectores, has dramatically reduced infection rates by enforcing educational campaigns focused on prevention and implementing effective treatment planning strategies for those infected with vector-borne diseases. CFHI participants may have the opportunity to join in this rural, tropical disease control program, by spending time in the lab and on the ground in various health brigades.

General Hospital- This secondary government hospital is the main referral hospital in the region and serves insured and uninsured patients. It has capacity for 30 beds. CFHI participants will rotate in the emergency department, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery. The Ob/Gyn ward is one of the busiest in the hospital.

Traditional Midwife Visit- Travel to the outskirts of Puerto to visit a well-known traditional midwife, who has been practicing community-based midwifery for over 60 years. She will share knowledge of medicinal herbs and birthing techniques that have been passed down for several generations and show CFHI participants a traditional birthing room. Midwives are highly respected community members, often considered leaders, and provide family planning services, prenatal and postnatal care, in addition to attending births.
 

Participants stay with homestay families, chosen and screened by the CFHI Local Coordinator. Homestays are located in a middle class residential neighborhood in the central part of Puerto Escondido. They are located in close proximity to one another and the language school, allowing participants to walk to language classes and meetings with ease.

Approximate Program Dates:
This program offers a start date once per month. Students may choose program dates that best suite their program.

Requirements:
This CFHI program is open to fourth-year medical students. 
 

CMU Office of Study Abroad Scholarship:
Scholarships in the amount of $500 are available for faculty-led programs and students studying abroad for eight weeks or longer in the summer are eligible for up to $750. Scholarships for semester participants range from $500 - $2,500. For more information, please contact the Office of Study Abroad.

Additional Scholarships:
For information about scholarships for which you may apply on campus and nationally, please visit the Scholarship page.