ESSENTIAL RESEARCH ON HEALTH SYSTEMS

Public health research and education in Mexico require further decentr alization to improve its availability, quality and relevance for the d evelopment of local health systems. This article presents the experien ce of the Northern Regional Center for Health Systems Development (NUR EDESS-Norte), a consortium for the decentralization and regionalizatio n of public health research and education of El Colegio de la Frontera Norte and the National Institute of Public Health. Nuredess-Norte ini tiated its activities in 1990 establishing a binational network of hea lth systems consultants along the border, following a common methodolo gy to improve health system quality through research. Later a Health S ystems Development Teaching Program was established at the level of sp ecialization with a high degree of decentralization and linkage with l ocal health systems. Nuredess-Norte undertakes research, design and ev aluation of innovations along the US-Mexico border. Emphasis is given to community participation and the development of primary health care.