Cross Border Health

Program Overview
– The Cross Border Health Course is an exciting new educational offering hosted at Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Cross border areas present a unique set of public health challenges, as they often represent the intersection of dynamic geopolitical, economic, sociocultural, and demographic issues. They are important entry points for communicable diseases, and affected populations may experience variable access to health care, health promotion, preventive health and emergency services. Communities in these areas also face many social, legal, environmental and occupational health risks with women, children and the elderly particularly at risk.
– Thailand has a universal health care coverage policy that allows Thai people to access health care services with equity and quality. Thailand also has good health infrastructure and Thai health personnel have excellent quality training. As a result, the Thai government has long collaborated with the Myanmar, Lao PDR and Cambodia governments to control and prevent communicable diseases and provide health care services for migrant workers and for people living on the borders. There is also a long history of cross-border work to prevent human trafficking.
– Mae Fah Luang University faculty and health personnel have rich experiences providing health care and other public health services for people who live or have migrated to work in these border areas, in part because of the university’s unique geographic location in the “Golden Triangle” region. This training program is born out of that unique expertise, and has the goal of enhancing learning and care capacity for cross border health issues, promoting the health of people living at cross border areas, and enhancing their quality of life.
Learning Objectives
Explain basic concepts of cross border public health in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Region
Explain social determinants, trafficking in humans, violence against women, cross cultural care, and emerging and re-emerging infectious disease burden
Critically reflect on the complexity of cross border health issues and how they are manifested in daily life
Acquire skills in basic outbreak investigation and other applicable epidemiological methods
Discuss cross border public health in Thailand and the Greater Mekong Region
Explain culturally appropriate care and different human health behaviors
Write a concept paper to reflect upon cross border issues and their impact on community health

These people will help you prepare and get the most out of this experience
Where you will be staying
Mae Fah Luange University will provide dormatory housing included with your tuition. Details for 2024 are being finalized, yet housing will be air conditioned and shared bathrooms. It will likely be a the Wanawes Hotel on campus.




Thai Culture
During the elective, students will observe how Thai locals provide health care service and the implement cross border policies across this dynamic region. Students will also get the opportunity to observe how they provide care in cross cultural settings and learn about the threat of human trafficking in cross border areas which inhibits their rights to work and access health care services.
Interested in this student elective?
Please contact us and share your interest. We’ll get in touch with you to discuss the process.