Newswise — United States counties that share a border with Mexico continue to struggle with educational achievement, poverty, access to health care and federal crimes, according to a recent study by the University of Texas at El Paso's Institute for Policy and Economic Development.
The study, "At the Cross Roads: U.S./Mexico Border Counties in Transition," was prepared for the U.S./Mexico Border Counties Coalition. The two-year study takes a unique approach by grouping the 24 counties along the border of Mexico as a "51st state" and comparing it to the rest of the country.
Among the findings:
--Border counties would rank No. 1 in federal crime as a 51st state, primarily because of drug and immigration arrests.
--If San Diego County is not included, border counties would rank last in per capita income. With San Diego County, border counties would rank 39th.
--If considered a 51st state, the border counties would rank 50th in percent of residents above the age of 25 who have completed high school.
--As a 51st state, border counties would rank last in the number of health care professionals available for residents.
Coalition officials are using the study to illustrate the problems facing the border when they meet with members of Congress.
To view the complete study visit http://www.bordercounties.org or www.iped.utep.edu.
The Institute for Policy and Economic Development (IPED) provides an interdisciplinary approach to research design, data collection and analysis through research and outreach activities related to policy issues and economic development in the border area.
The University of Texas at El Paso, a major urban research university, is committed to the ideals of access and excellence. Uniquely positioned in the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region, UTEP ranks second among UT System academic institutions in research spending -- nearly $35 million a year -- and ranks among the nation's top three universities in awarding bachelor's degrees to Hispanics.
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