Mexico's first nations mortality disparities, 2015-2022

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Indigenous populations in Mexico face significant health inequities.
• Data on mortality causes and premature death in this group are crucial for understanding health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess overall and cause-specific excess mortality and premature mortality in Mexico's Indigenous populations from 2015-2022.
• To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mortality trends in this vulnerable group.

Main Methods:

• Calculated age-standardized mortality rates (MR) and ratios (MRR), proportional mortality, and cause-specific mortality rates.
• Utilized death certificate data, including Indigenous language information, collected since 2014.
• Estimated years of life potentially lost using age-specific life expectancy.

Main Results:

• Excess mortality was observed in Indigenous populations, with a mortality ratio (MRR) of 1.1 during the pandemic.
• Pre-pandemic, highly preventable conditions like diarrheal diseases, tuberculosis, and alcohol-related disorders accounted for 40% of excess deaths.
• Premature mortality was 20% higher in Indigenous individuals during 2015-2019.

Conclusions:

• Mexico's Indigenous populations experience excess mortality, underscoring persistent health disparities.
• Preventable conditions contribute significantly to excess deaths, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Increased resources and targeted efforts are essential to eliminate health inequities for Indigenous peoples in Mexico.