Rene Leyva-Flores

Dr Rene Leyva-Flores

Research Director
Institution: National Institute of Public Health
Current Institution Location: Mexico

Email: rene.leyva@insp.mx
Phone Number:  0052-777-329 3049
Website: Go to website

Address:
Av. Universidad 655; Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

Migration Health Research Area/Expertise
For 20 years, I have developed scientific research on the relationship of migration and health, especially focused on migrants in transit through Mexico who come from 55 countries of the world, also with seasonal farm workers, who mostly correspond to ethnic groups. One of the most relevant areas analyzed is the relationship between migration and HIV in migrants in transit, sex workers and different groups of sexual diversity in Mexico and Central America. Other relevant current issues have been the analysis of the situation of violence suffered by migrants, especially sexual violence. The information generated has served as a reference for the design of strategies and actions for prevention and attention of risks and damages in health and for the design of public policies by the governments of Mexico and Central America.

In the case of the relationship between migration and HIV, all the governments of Central America and Mexico recognized the issue as part of the national health policies. Those facilitate access to comprehensive health care and especially access to antiretroviral drugs. This project was supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and tuberculosis in Central America.

For the problem of sexual violence, the government health services of Mexico and civil society organizations implemented a strategy to address the consequences on the physical and mental health of those affected, as well as their legal support for access to the Justice. Following this line of research, evidence has been provided for Mexico government to modify the current health insurance policy to include all migrants, regardless of their immigration status.

Research Focus/Expertise on Relevant Migrant Categories
Internal Migration
Internally displaced persons (Children, Adolescents, Adults)
Left-behind migrant families (Children, Adolescents, Adults)
Migrant Workers (Adolescents, Adults)

International/Cross-Border Migration
International migrant workers (Adolescents, Adults)
Seasonal farm workers (Adolescents, Adults)

Relevant Publications

Title Author Year Published Link to Publication
HIV Prevalence Among Central American Migrants in Transit Through Mexico to the USA, 2009-2013 Leyva-Flores R, Infante C, Servan-Mori E, Quintino-Pérez F, Silverman-Retana O
Migrants suffering violence while in transit through Mexico: factors associated with the decision to continue or turn back Serván-Mori E, Leyva-Flores R, Xibillé CI, Torres-Pereda P, & Garcia-Cerde R
Mobile Populations and HIV/AIDS in Central America and Mexico: Research for Action Bronfman M, Leyva R, et. al.
HIV Prevention among truck drivers on Mexico’s Southern Border Bronfman M, Leyva R, & Negroni M
Acceso a servicios de prevención de ITS y VIH en trabajadoras sexuales en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica Leyva-Flores R, Quintino-Pérez F, Figueroa-Lara A, Cuadra M, Smith D, & García C
Prevención de ITS/VIH en jóvenes de comunidades fronterizas de Centroamérica Frías SM, Leyva-Flores R, Castellón K, Duarte B, Valin JE, & Vázquez LA
Infecciones de transmisión sexual. Perfil de atención en zonas fronterizas de Centroamérica (2007-2010) Serván-Mori E, Leyva-Flores R, Heredia-Pi I, & García-Cerd R
Las mujeres que se quedan: migración e implicación en los procesos de búsqueda de atención de servicios de salud. Salud Pública de México Marta Caballero, René Leyva, et. Al
Respuesta social a la migración y SIDA en ciudades gemelas de la frontera México-Guatemala Leyva R, Caballero M, Dreser A, Guerrero M, & Bronfman M
Migración, género y SIDA: Contextos de vulnerabilidad Bronfman M, Leyva R, et al.
VIH/SIDA y rechazo a migrantes en contextos fronterizos Infante C, Leyva R, Caballero M, Guerrero C, Cuadra SM, & Bronfman M
Migration and AIDS in Mexico: An Overview Based on Recent Evidence Magis C, Gayet C, Negroni M, Leyva R, et al