Burrell Institute for Health Policy & Research

The Burrell Institute conducts a variety of policy oriented research projects and provides position papers to legislators, decision makers and the media. Our research activities are focused at reducing health disparities, improving access to care, and assisting the policymaking process at local, regional, national or international levels (particularly at the US-Mexico Border region).

Its location at the US-Mexico border is particularly important because the Southwestern U.S. and the U.S.-Mexico border region are areas of the greatest health disparities and economic hardships. As the population is representative of the entire United States in the future, it is a very appropriate area for research and implementation of potential solutions.

The core functions of the Burrell Institute for Health Policy & Research are:

1. To conduct population health research to inform and assist decision/policy makers at local, state, national and international levels, which facilitate policy changes for improving the health status of our population.
2. Offer a multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of determinants of health and health disparities, health care delivery, health policies, public health and health education programs.
3. To provide position papers to legislators and the news media.
4. To build capacity to improve understanding of health risk behaviors and personal health care choices, with special focus on minority and disadvantaged populations, Hispanics, Native Americans and Border residents.

Our main activities are:

1. To collaborate with local, regional and international researchers from diverse agencies/organizations to analyze health conditions, conduct health research on specific populations (border and migrant population, minority groups, Hispanics, Native Americans and disadvantaged populations) and evaluate or implement programs and health care practices.
2. To establish a continuous and systematic process of gathering data from numerous sources, conduct regular analysis, and communicate the results to policy makers, health care providers and public health authorities and the community.
3. To coordinate, support and foster open collaboration among researchers, policy makers and decision makers from all levels, nurturing solid relationships and mutual respect.
4. To plan, organize and conduct health conferences, symposiums, colloquiums and workshops to build capacity at local, regional and international level.