Mexico: Health System Review

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Health Systems Analysis

Background:

• The Mexican health system operates through three parallel structures: employment-based social insurance, public assistance for the uninsured, and a private sector.
• Key institutions like the Mexican Social Insurance Institute (IMSS) exhibit outdated governance structures.
• National health spending is below regional and OECD averages, with significant out-of-pocket expenditures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the organization, governance, financing, provision, reforms, and performance of the Mexican health system.
• To identify challenges and inequities within the current health system structure.
• To explore the demand for greater integration of service delivery.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of recent developments in the Mexican health system.
• Analysis of health financing, healthcare provision, and reform efforts.
• Examination of health system performance indicators and challenges.

Main Results:

• The health system is segmented, leading to inequities in access and financial protection for nearly 14% of the population.
• Public institutions face resource limitations, driving demand for private sector services.
• The system grapples with rising rates of obesity, diabetes, violence, and significant health inequities.

Conclusions:

• The Mexican health system's fragmented nature creates disparities in service access and financial protection.
• Despite calls for integration, consensus on reforming the segmented structure is lacking.
• Addressing health inequities and improving system performance requires significant structural reform and consensus-building.