Socioeconomic determinants of health and COVID-19 in Mexico

The population living in conditions of poorness has a heavier pathological burden than social strata with better economic possibilities.

To determine the influence of socioeconomic and demographic factors on COVID-19 morbidity, mortality and lethality in municipalities and states of Mexico.

Morbidity, mortality and lethality associated with COVID-19 were analyzed according to the human development index and its indicators, and type of population. Descriptive statistical analyses, correlations between developmental variables and morbidity, mortality and lethality, association tests and hierarchical groupings were carried out.

Positive correlations were observed between morbidity and mortality and the human development index; COVID-19 fatality increased as the values of said index decreased. There was a significantly higher risk of elevated mortality in localities with moderate and low development, and in those with less than 49,999 inhabitants. The main factors associated with fatality were lack of access to health services, income vulnerability and social deprivation.

The evidence generated should lead to decisions aimed at improving the quality of life of the population with social deprivations and vulnerabilities, which needs to be protected against the consequences of current COVID-19 pandemic.