Abstract

PINZON-PEREZ, Helda  and  SANTOS, Leoncio Vásquez. Indigenous communities from Oaxaca, Mexico. Health problems, opportunities and challenges in public health with special attention in mental health. Rev. Fac. Med. Hum. [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.3, pp.691-698. ISSN 1814-5469.  http://dx.doi.org/10.25176/rfmh.v21i3.3929.

Oaxacans come from the Mexican state of Oaxaca and have relocated primarily in the Central Valley of California, Los Angeles, and San Diego. They are the fastest growing farm-worker population in California and are estimated to be between 100,000 and 150,0001. This community is affected by various health problems, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This article intends to familiarize the reader with the cultural characteristics of the Indigenous Mexican Oaxacan communities and their health care needs, especially in mental health, the main programs and services carried out, the challenges of nurses and public health workers in this situation, and present an instrument in Mixtec, Zapotec, and Spanish to assess the mental health of this population. Also, to provide recommendations on how this instrument could be useful for the mental health of these indigenous communities and from other Latin American regions.

Keywords : Oaxaca; Indigenous Health; Mental Health; Health Promotion; Indigenous Communities (Source: MeSH NLM)..

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