California Arizona New Mexico

New Mexico is second only to Arizona in days of sunshine per year. The climate is dry and extreme weather conditions are rare. Elevations in the state range from 2,817 ft. to 13,161 ft.. and while New Mexico is considered a southern state in terms of latitude, its elevation provides for four seasons throughout the state. New Mexico is among the lowest in population density and its population is very diverse, which sometimes leads to barriers to obtaining culturally sensitive health care. Because of this and other social factors, there are real disparities in the health of New Mexicans of various race/ethnic groups.

New Mexico’s high school graduation rate is the country’s worst and it is ranked as second highest poverty rate in the country (over 20% in 2014). Second highest number of deaths caused by drug overdose from the age of 12. The high rates of uninsured adults and children, numbers of people with diabetes,

Stockton

45 14-75 65% 35% some native, some white, some latino

47 17-85 25% 75%

Race/Ethnicity: African American

Phoenix

15 22-60 50% 50%

Race/Ethnicity: Mixed syphilis and chlamydia make NM rank among the top 20 countrywide. And it is not surprising to see a 15% rate of tobacco smokers next to a 23% rate of asthma in high school students (both data from 2014). We have visited communities across the state, from Las Vegas in the North to Anthony in the South and we took part in the statewide Health Equity Partnership gathering. We spoke to tribal elders and heard from various ethnic minority groups. This gave us a good sense of both the widespread efforts as well as the challenges in bringing about a culture of health, given the remoteness of many places and deeply rooted historical trauma that’s influencing health in communities. states