Ageless health needs assessment on the U.S.-Mexico border: Ciudad Júarez

The Ageless Health Needs Assessment Study examined the self-reported health of the 60 and older population along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A health survey was administered in Ciudad Júarez, Chihuahua, Mexico to 507 Mexican descendents by telephone (n = 296) and in-person (n = 211). The health survey examined measures of physical and psychosocial health.

All participants were aged 60 and older and born in Mexico. Most reported achieving an elementary school education or less and many lived in poverty. Results from a MANCOVA showed significant differences between groups: men, individuals with higher education, and sufficient amounts of physical activity reported better health scores compared to women, individuals with lower education, and insufficient physical activity.

These findings suggest that higher levels of education and physical activity may be associated with better health outcomes among elderly Mexicans dwelling on the border.