We are a civil association with 20 years of experience. We provide humanitarian health and education assistance to the entire population living in vulnerable communities with high and very high levels of marginalization. Our humanitarian aid programs are carried out on a daily basis through mobile medical units. The size of the mobile medical units and the size of the medical team are determined by the geography of the community and the population density to be served.  

In Mexico, legislation allows for the provision of health services and operations throughout Mexico, not just by state. This presents challenges and significant opportunities to serve communities with diverse characteristics and needs. As a result, collaboration between civil society organizations, local communities and government actors has been key to sustaining these initiatives.  

Comparing this model with the specifics of the United States model invites reflection on how outreach and community engagement activities are carried out in both countries, especially when considering the Hispanic population, which faces similar barriers.  

Description of Primary Services:
Free medical care Dental care for children
Mammography services
Health promotion workshops  

Lessons Learned and Case Studies:
Over the course of 20 years, we have learned to adapt both our staff and our units to the challenges posed by the climate, the territory, and the needs of the population:  Tabasco, where summer temperatures can reach 111°F,  accompanied by rain and flooding. In hot areas, the population is exposed to tropical diseases such as stomach infections and those transmitted by mosquitoes. Hidalgo, where temperatures can drop to 39°F. In cold regions, respiratory illnesses are more common.  Geography presents challenges in terms of connectivity and accessibility. In mountainous areas, we needed to use smaller units for easier access to communities, while in flatter terrain, medical trailers can serve a larger number of people.  

The case studies are intended to provide valuable insight into how healthcare can be adapted to complex and extreme environments, from hot and humid climates to cold and hard-to-reach regions. These challenges have led to the development of diverse and flexible mobile health unit programs that can operate in adverse conditions and provide a source of learning relevant to other contexts.  

Learning Objectives: Analyze resilient, technical, and human strategies to address environmental and geographic challenges in rural communities across the country. Compare different and opposite regional scenarios (such as Tabasco and Hidalgo) and their respective health issues, identifying the solutions implemented in each case. Identify opportunities for collaboration and possible alliances with local and regional stakeholders to strengthen mobile health services in similar contexts.  Reflect on the lessons learned and how they relate to your own community health or mobile services work environment and needs.