Closing the gap between outcry and action

 

The widespread outcry against the humanitarian and health crisis at the US-Mexico border has, unfortunately, not yet produced a collaborative effort among Central American, Mexican and US humanitarian health researchers, clinicians, lawyers, activists, policymakers, philanthropists, and others to develop an appropriate and actionable agenda. This initiative seeks to close that gap.

Although academic institutions are just one stakeholder in this community, we feel it is our duty to combine our existing resources and expertise to push for policy-level action on this issue. We aim to provide politically neutral thought leadership and robust evidence to inform a response to the humanitarian health crisis. 

The ideal response will be:  

 
 

Regional

The source of the border health crisis is not limited to one country. As a result, any solutions to the crisis must involve multiple countries working together in coordination.

Multisectoral

No single sector alone is likely to solve this humanitarian health crisis alone. An array of stakeholders, each with their own capabilities, will be needed to produce effective solutions to the problems involved.

 
 

Grounded in evidence

There is a general lack of understanding of the magnitude of the humanitarian border health crisis, its causes, and the potential impact of policy responses. A process that brings robust evidence to the analyses of the problem and to the development of solutions is likely to produce better results.

Actionable

Many observers of the humanitarian health crisis feel they are ill-equipped to support migrant and assist in relieving the tragedy. Gestures of support without any real change feel inadequate, and it is difficult to know where to start on such a complex issue. Long-term change must involve a clear, interdisciplinary, and actionable approach, in order to untangle the complexity of this crisis and to improve health outcomes among those affected.

 
 

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