UNAM Adopts a Community Program

Education in Practice: A Socially Accountable Model

Abstract

Health inequities in Mexico remain a major challenge, particularly in marginalized communities where social, cultural, and structural barriers limit access to care. The UNAM Adopts a Community program, led by the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), offers an interdisciplinary and socially accountable model to improve health and quality of life. Rooted in the history of medical social service and aligned with global frameworks such as the Alma-Ata Declaration, the Ottawa Charter, and the Sustainable Development Goals, the program integrates medical, social, educational, environmental, and technological strategies.

Social service interns from diverse disciplines—including medicine, nursing, nutrition, social work, psychology, engineering, and environmental sciences—work directly with communities through participatory diagnoses and continuous feedback. Organized into seven strategic lines (UNAMos Initiatives), the program promotes primary health care, digital inclusion, sustainable economies, gender equality, environmental awareness, and strategic partnerships.

By fostering empowerment, equity, and sustainability, UNAM Adopts a Community benefits both residents—through prevention and resilience—and students, who gain skills in teamwork, communication, and social responsibility.