Office of Border Health
Background
The County of San Diego created the Office of Border Health in February 1993. The Office of Border Health’s goal to improve communication, collaboration, and coordination, with local, state, and federal groups along the United States (U.S.)-Mexico border region.
Mission
The Office of Border Health's goal is to improve health in the California-Baja California border area. We can achieve our mission by teaming up with partners to meet the needs of our community.
We work to prevent disease, empower our communities, and assist in responding to health threats and disasters, through:
- Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination
- Monitoring and sharing data, best practices, and resources
- Education and prevention materials and presentations
- Partnering with one another for events, task force meetings, and symposiums
Authority
Our activities support the California Codes of Regulation, Title 17. Our efforts help strengthen communication across borders to control and lessen the impact of common communicable diseases.
San Diego & Imperial Counties Border Health Collaborative
Established in 2011, the Collaborative brings together public
health experts to talk about border health issues in San Diego County
and Imperial County. The Collaborative brings together public health
experts to talk about border health issues in San Diego County and
Imperial County.
- Chronic Disease
- Behavioral Health
- Vector Borne
- Environmental Health
- Infectious Disease
- Prevention strategies
To read the published article on the Collaborative, click here.
After extensive discussions and with strong support from partners on both sides of the border, we are excited to announce that the San Diego & Imperial Border Health Collaborative has been integrated into the Border Health Consortium of the Californias, effective May 2026.
The Border Health Consortium of the Californias
In 2013, the Border Health Consortium of the Californias was created. The BHCC is a binational network that strives to encourage healthy living along the US-Mexico border. All members of the BHCC meet twice a year, once in San Diego County and the other in Tijuana, Mexico.
The BHCC helps health groups from California and Mexico work together effectively to address:
- Cancer
- HIV
- Mental Health
- Obesity
- Tuberculosis
- Preventable Strategies and Emergency Response
If you would like to join the BHCC, please sign up here.
Partner Relay
In 2014, the Office of Border Health partnered with the Office of Emergency Services to develop the Partner Relay program. This is a collaborative program that brings together trusted community organizations to support and share emergency information to communities with Limited English Proficiency.
The program shares emergency preparedness information and alerts before, during or after disasters. Our network allows for all communities to be prepared, responsive, and alert for any upcoming emergency or safety announcements.
To get emergency alerts in San Diego County, you can find them on Alert San Diego and our Engage Page.
If your organization wants to join our network to make emergency safety better, please sign up on Survey Monkey.
For more information regarding Partner Relay Program contact us via email SDPartnerRelay@sdcounty.ca.gov.
- Coordinate yearly meetings with the Public Health Services, Centers for Disease Control, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Schedule meetings with local universities and colleges.
- Support the development of binational strategic plans.
- Coordinate binational meetings, events, and conferences related to Tuberculosis, Obesity, HIV, Cancer, Mental Health, Epidemiology, Emergency Preparedness, Pediatric Health, Prevention Strategies, and more.
- Lead the Queso Fresco Task Force, which shares information and strategies about the health impact of consuming soft cheese, queso fresco, that is imported from Mexico.
The 1st Annual Binational Symposium for Emergency Care for Pediatric and Adult Patients took place on January 21st and 22nd, 2026, at CECUT, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. This is a Binational Collaboration between Hospital Florence, Rady Children's Health, UC San Diego Health, The Office of Border Health, and other partners.
Learn more about the symposium here.
Resources
Healthy Border 2030 – Collaborative Action to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of the United States – Mexico Border Population
The State of Health Along the US-Mexico Border – Threats and Opportunities
Technical Guidelines for United States—Mexico Coordination on Public Health Events of Mutual Interest
Operational Protocol for U.S.-Mexico Binational Communication and Coordination on Disease Notifications and Outbreaks
CDC MMWR Vital Signs: Vital Signs: Leading Causes of Death, Prevalence of Diseases and Risk Factors, and Use of Health Services Among Hispanics in the United States — 2009–2013
Public Health Services Strategic Plan 2013 - 2018
Planning & Preparedness | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Partners
Border Health and Migration | CDC
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) | NCEZID | CDC
Secretaría de Salud del Estado de Baja California
U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission Members | HHS.gov
U.S.-Mexico Border Program | US EPA
U.S.-Mexico Border Health Comission, Mexico Section
Border Affairs Program | CalEPA
CDPH Office of Binational Border Health
UC Berkeley Health Initiative of the Americas
Border Health Consortium of the Californias
*All partners may not be listed and also include healthcare, academia, for profits, non profits, government and other community serving organizations*
If you are interested in learning more about our office or would like us to present to your organization, please email us at: PHS-OBH.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
For more information on the Partner Relay Program contact us via email at SDPartnerRelay@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Webpage last updated 6/23/2026
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