RESUMO
Current data indicate that inequitable health service access is one of the major problems faced by indigenous people in Mexico and around the world. The aim of this study was to analyse the perceived health needs of indigenous older adults in a Mayan region of Mexico and the health services provided to address these needs. It used a qualitative design which explored health needs, perceptions of well-being, experiences with public health services and obstacles in accessing services through semi-structured interviews with 20 older adults, nine traditional healers and seven public healthcare providers from Mayan municipalities in southeastern Mexico during 2013-2014. We identified that cultural differences related to the language, values, beliefs and worldview of indigenous populations are ignored or incorporated only minimally by health services. The provision of services does not correspond to the health needs of indigenous Mayan older adults, and wide gaps still undermine their human rights and health status; despite the establishment of favourable regulations, healthcare services are organised for the non-indigenous population. The conditions of social vulnerability affecting indigenous older adults require that healthcare institutions incorporate an intercultural approach in order to improve the quality of care according to the necessities of the population.