LITTLE ROCK, AR -- The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and the Mexican Consulate on Tuesday, February 23 took two steps toward offering better health education and screening programs to the more than 25,000 visitors at the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock each year.



Along with an initial $30,000 commitment from the Mexican government presented to UAMS today, the College of Public Health and the Mexican Consulate in Little Rock also signed a memorandum of understanding to team up for future efforts to boost health education and screening programs.



“Our overall charge is to improve the health and well-being of Arkansans, and this effort is an outstanding opportunity to reach a specific and growing demographic group that allows us to make an immediate difference,” said Jim Raczynski, Ph.D., dean of the College of Public Health. “I look forward to many years of successful collaboration.”



Andres Chao, consul of Mexico, said the “Ventanilla de Salud,” or Health Window Program, is a grand opportunity to provide health information and screenings to Mexicans living in Arkansas.



“Similar programs to the one that will begin in Little Rock have already begun in more than 40 locations within the United States to a great degree of success,” Chao said. “We are sure that this program is an important first step towards the well-being of Mexicans residing in Arkansas and an important addition to the broad range of programs that address health disparities in minority populations. This program will provide Mexicans in Arkansas an opportunity to be stakeholders of their own health and we want to be a part of such efforts.”



Raczynski said the $30,000 in funds ...