The mission of the United States–México Border Health Commission (BHC) is to provide international leadership to optimize health and quality of life along the United States-México border. Its primary goals are to institutionalize a domestic focus on border health that can transcend political changes and to create an effective venue for binational discussion to address the public health issues and problems affecting the United States-México border populations.

The 8th Annual Border Binational Health Week (BBHW) will be held the first week of October 2011 in conjunction with the Third Mexican National Health Week and the 11th Binational Health Week. These celebratory events are a partnership of the United States-México Border Health Commission, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; the México Secretariat of Health, the Health Initiative of the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization, and the ten U.S.-México Border States.

The goal of BBHW is to promote sustainable partnerships to address border health problems. Intended outcomes include increased community and inter-agency networking relationships, increased information sharing and educational opportunities, and increased awareness of the BHC and other state and local initiatives.

Activities during BBHW will include forums on specific health related topics and other activities sponsored by border partners.

The BHC will continue with the complimentary theme of obesity and diabetes as priorities for 2011 in support of and in response to the XXVI U.S. –México Border Governor's Conference Joint Declaration. For additional information, or to inquire about how you or your organization can participate, please contact Lori Navarrete at (915) 532-1006 or lorraine.navarrete@hhs.gov in the U.S.; or Jorge Navarro at (01152-55) 3611-0765 or jnavarro@saludfronteriza.org.mx in México.