Analysis of changes in the association of income and the utilization of curative health services in Mexico between 2000 and 2006.

BACKGROUND: A common characteristic of health systems in most developing countries is unequal access to health services. As a result, members of the poorest population groups often do not receive formal attention for health services, because they cannot afford it. In 2001 in Mexico, to address income-related differences in the use of health services, the government launched a major healthcare reform, which includes a health insurance program called Seguro Popular, aimed at improving healthcare access among poor, uninsured residents. This paper analyzes the before and after changes in the demand for curative ambulatory health services focusing on the association of income-related characteristics and the utilization of formal healthcare providers vs. no healthcare service utilization. METHODS: By using two nationally representative health surveys (ENSA-2000 and ENSANUT-2006), we modeled an individual's decision when experiencing an illness to use services provided by the (1) Ministry of Health (MoH), (2) social security, (3) private entities, or (4) to not use formal services (no healthcare service utilization). RESULTS: Poorer individuals were more likely in 2006 than in 2000 to respond to an illness by using formal healthcare providers. Trends in provider selection differed, however. The probability of using public services from the MoH increased among the poorest population, while the findings indicated an increase in utilization of private health services among members of low- and middle-income groups. No significant change was seen among formal workers -covered by social security services-, regardless of socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, for 2006 the Mexican population appears less differentiated in using healthcare across economic groups than in 2000. This may be related, in part, to the implementation of Seguro Popular, which seems to be stimulating healthcare demand among the poorest and previously uninsured segment of the population. Still, public health authorities need to address the remaining income-related healthcare utilization differences, the differences in quality between public and private health services, and the general perception that MoH facilities offer inferior services.

[Cost-effectiveness of public health practices: a literature review of public health interventions from the Mesoamerican Health Initiative]. / Costo-efectividad de prácticas en salud pública: revisión bibliográfica de las intervenciones de la Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Salud.

OBJECTIVE: Present and analyze cost-effectiveness information of public health interventions proposed by the Mesoamerican Health Initiative in child nutrition, vaccination, malaria, dengue, and maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted on cost-effectiveness studies published between January 2000 and August 2009 on interventions related to the health areas previously mentioned. Studies were included if they measured effectiveness in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) or death averted. RESULTS: Child nutrition and maternal and neonatal health interventions were found to be highly cost-effective (most of them below US$200 per DALY averted for nutritional interventions and US$100 for maternal and neonatal health). For dengue, information on cost-effectiveness was found just for application of larvicides, which resulted in a cost per DALY averted ranking from US$40.79 to US$345.06. Malarial interventions were found to be cost-effective (below US$150 per DALY averted or US$4,000 per death averted within Africa). In the case of pneumococcus and rotavirus vaccination, cost-effectiveness estimates were always above one GDP per capita per DALY averted. CONCLUSIONS: In Mesoamerica there are still important challenges in child nutrition, vaccination, malaria, dengue and maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health, challenges that could be addressed by scaling-up technically feasible and cost-effective interventions.

[Situational profile and intervention strategy in the Mesoamerican region in maternal, neonatal and reproductive health area]. / Perfil situacional y estrategias de intervención en la región Mesoamericana en el área de salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal.

To present the main results of the regional situation diagnosis and intervention plan developed in 2010 as part of the planning activities of the Mesoamerican Health System by the Working Group on Maternal, Reproductive and Neonatal Health. A group of experts and representatives from countries in the region (Central America and nine southern Mexican states) conducted an exhaustive review of available data to construct a situational analysis and a review of effective practices for improving maternal, reproductive and neonatal health. Finally, the group proposed a regional action plan, defining regional goals and specific interventions. The situational diagnosis suggests that, although there has been progress in the last 10 years, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are still unnaceptably high in the region, with a substantial variability across countries. The group proposed as a regional goal the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in accordance with the Millenium Development Goals. The regional plan recommends specific maternal and neonatal health interventions emphasizing obstetric and neonatal emergency care, skilled birth attendance and family planning. The plan also includes a five year implementation strategy, along with training and evaluation strategies. The regional plan for maternal, neonatal and reproductive health has the potential to be successful, provided it is effectively implemented.

Factors influencing global antiretroviral procurement prices.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) are one of the most costly parts of HIV/AIDS treatment. Many countries are struggling to provide universal access to ARVs for all people living with HIV and AIDS. Although substantial price reductions of ARVs have occurred, especially between 2002 and 2008, achieving sustainable access for the next several decades remains a major challenge for most low- and middle-income countries. The objectives of the present study were twofold: first, to analyze global ARV prices between 2005 and 2008 and associated factors, particularly procurement methods and key donor policies on ARV procurement efficiency; second, to discuss the options of procurement processes and policies that should be considered when implementing or reforming access to ARV programs. METHODS: An ARV-medicines price-analysis was carried out using the Global Price Reporting Mechanism from the World Health Organization. For a selection of 12 ARVs, global median prices and price variation were calculated. Linear regression models for each ARV were used to identify factors that were associated with lower procurement prices. Logistic regression models were used to identify the characteristics of those countries which procure below the highest and lowest direct manufactured costs. RESULTS: Three key factors appear to have an influence on a country's ARV prices: (a) whether the product is generic or not; (b) the socioeconomic status of the country; (c) whether the country is a member of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative. Factors which did not influence procurement below the highest direct manufactured costs were HIV prevalence, procurement volume, whether the country belongs to the least developed countries or a focus country of the United States President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief. CONCLUSION: One of the principal mechanisms that can help to lower prices for ARV over the next several decades is increasing procurement efficiency. Benchmarking prices could be one useful tool to achieve this.

[Cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening policies in Mexico]. / Costo-efectividad de políticas para el tamizaje de cáncer de mama en México.

OBJECTIVE: Generate cost-effectiveness information to allow policy makers optimize breast cancer (BC) policy in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We constructed a Markov model that incorporates four interrelated processes of the disease: the natural history; detection using mammography; treatment; and other competing-causes mortality, according to which 13 different strategies were modeled. RESULTS: Strategies (starting age, % of coverage, frequency in years)= (48, 25, 2), (40, 50, 2) and (40, 50, 1) constituted the optimal method for expanding the BC program, yielding 75.3, 116.4 and 171.1 thousand pesos per life-year saved, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies included in the optimal method for expanding the program produce a cost per life-year saved of less than two times the GNP per capita and hence are cost-effective according to WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health criteria.

Cost-effectiveness of introducing a rotavirus vaccine in developing countries: the case of Mexico.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea and diarrhoeal deaths in children under 5. Vaccination could greatly alleviate that burden, but in Mexico as in most low- and middle-income countries the decision to add rotavirus vaccine to the national immunisation program will depend heavily on its cost-effectiveness and affordability. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of including the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Mexico's national immunisation program. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness model was developed from the perspective of the health system, modelling the vaccination of a hypothetical birth cohort of 2 million children monitored from birth through 60 months of age. It compares the cost and disease burden of rotavirus in an unvaccinated cohort of children with one vaccinated as recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months. RESULTS: Including the pentavalent vaccine in the national immunisation program could prevent 71,464 medical visits (59%), 5,040 hospital admissions (66%), and 612 deaths from rotavirus gastroenteritis (70%). At US$10 per dose and a cost of administration of US$13.70 per 3-dose regimen, vaccination would cost US$122,058 per death prevented, US$4,383 per discounted life-year saved, at a total net cost of US$74.7 million dollars to the health care system. Key variables influencing the results were, in order of importance, case fatality, vaccine price, vaccine efficacy, serotype prevalence, and annual loss of efficacy. The results are also very sensitive to the discount rate assumed when calculated per life-year saved. CONCLUSION: At prices below US $15 per dose, the cost per life-year saved is estimated to be lower than one GNP per capita and hence highly cost effective by the WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health criteria. The cost-effectiveness estimates are highly dependent upon the mortality in the absence of the vaccine, which suggests that the vaccine is likely to be significantly more cost-effective among poorer populations and among those with less access to prompt medical care - such that poverty reduction programs would be expected to reduce the future cost-effectiveness of the vaccine.

A predictive model for the utilization of curative ambulatory health services in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the degree to which individual and household variables jointly predict utilization of curative ambulatory services in Mexico for four types of health providers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient choice of provider (self-care, Ministry of Health, social security, or private provider) when they become ill is modeled using a nested multinomial logit model that uses household and individual variables as predictors. The data are from the Mexican National Health Survey conducted in 2000. RESULTS: Being a social security beneficiary is one of the most important predictors of utilization. A strong positive relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and demand for services was also found, with the strongest relationship being for private providers, followed by social security. Utilization of Ministry of Health (MoH) services was negatively associated with household SES. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion of health insurance coverage should significantly reduce health inequalities due to reduced care-seeking by non-beneficiaries.

[Seguro Popular's initial evaluation of household catastrophic health spending in Mexico]. / Evaluación Inicial del Seguro Popular sobre el Gasto Catastrófico en Salud en México.

OBJECTIVE: Estimating Seguro Popular de Salud's (SPS) initial outcome regarding households' catastrophic health spending (CHS). The relationship of other important factors to the CE was also estimated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study, based on evaluating Seguro Popular's survey, was carried out in the Mexican states of Colima and Campeche during 2002; it was carried out during the first semester of 2005. SPS and other co-variables' relationship with CHS was estimated by using the probit model. Such relationship was then estimated again using the bi-probit model, but taking endogeneity between CHS and SPS affiliation into consideration. Some simulations led to a detailed analysis of the influence of the use by type of service on the CHS. RESULTS: The probability of SPS-affiliated households incurring CHS was about 8% less than un-affiliated households (controlled for other co-variables and corrected for endogeneity). The probability of incurring CHS was always less for affiliated people, independently of the income bracket which they belonged to and the kind of services used. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that SPS is financially protecting households; nevertheless, the goal of a 75 % reduction in CHS has still to be achieved.

Cost-Effectiveness of Canagliflozin versus Sitagliptin as Add-on to Metformin in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin versus sitagliptin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as an add-on to metformin in Mexico. METHODS: A validated model (Economic and Health Outcomes [ECHO]-T2DM) was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin 300 or 100 mg versus sitagliptin 100 mg in patients with T2DM inadequately controlled on metformin monotherapy. Data from a head-to-head, phase III clinical trial, including patients' baseline demographic characteristics, biomarker values, and treatment effects, were used to simulate outcomes and resource use over 20 years from the perspective of the Mexican health care system. Costs of complications and adverse events were tailored to the Mexican setting and discounted at 5%. Cost-effectiveness was assessed using willingness-to-pay thresholds equivalent to 1 times the gross domestic product per capita (locally perceived to be "very cost-effective") and 3 times the gross domestic product per capita (locally perceived to be "cost-effective") on the basis of recommendations of the Mexican government and the World Health Organization. RESULTS: Owing primarily to better glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight, and systolic blood pressure values, canagliflozin 300 and 100 mg were associated with an incremental benefit of 0.16 and 0.06 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) versus sitagliptin 100 mg, respectively, over 20 years. The mean differences in cost for canagliflozin 300 and 100 mg versus sitagliptin 100 mg were Mexican pesos (MXP) 1797 (US $134) and MXP 7262 (US $540), respectively, resulting in a cost per QALY gained of MXP 11,210 (US $834) and MXP 128,883 (US $9590), respectively. Both of these cost-effectiveness ratios are below the very cost-effective willingness-to-pay threshold in Mexico. The general finding that canagliflozin is cost-effective versus sitagliptin in Mexico was supported by sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: In Mexico, both doses of canagliflozin are likely to be cost-effective versus sitagliptin in patients with T2DM who have inadequate glucose control on metformin, primarily because of better biomarker control and higher QALYs.

[Facing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Mexico: the response of the health sector]. / Haciendo frente a la epidemia de VIH/SIDA en México: una respuesta organizada?

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the challenges and accomplishments of the Mexican health system as it faced the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the 20 years since discovery of the virus. METHODS: A review of the relevant literature was done. The topics revised were: HIV/AIDS epidemiology, the early response of the health system and civil society, prevention and risk behaviors, care and treatment, and financing and resources allocation. DISCUSSION: In Mexico a rapid initial public response surely contributed to containing any early spread of the epidemic to select populations; whether that spread will continue to be contained is an open question. Sexual risk practices remain high not only among traditional risk populations but also among youth. Even though the epidemic remains concentrated in Mexico, principally among MSM and IDU, only 13% of public HIV prevention funds are directed to key populations at especially high risk of becoming infected or infecting others. In recent years antiretroviral coverage has increased rapidly with funding increasing from 30 to 367 million pesos from 2001 to 2003 and coverage now approaching 100%. Of all health spending on HIV/AIDS in the public sector, 82.4% is spent by the social security institutes and 17.6% by the Ministry of Health. The former provides medical care to about half of PLHA while the latter, in addition to caring for the other half, supports the large majority of prevention expenses. One of the challenges faced by the health system which has largely achieved universal antiretroviral coverage is how to provide quality care with appropriate monitoring, promotion of adherence and recognition and treatment of resistance and adverse effects--without dramatically increasing costs.

Analise de custo por resposta de adalimumabe, etanercepte, guselcumabe, infliximabe, ixequizumabe, secuquinumabe e ustequinumabe para tratamento de psoríase em placas moderada a grave sob a perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro / Cost per response analysis of adalimumab, etanercept, guselkumab, infliximab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis from the Brazilian private health care system perspective

O OBJETIVO: deste estudo é avaliar o custo por resposta das terapias biológicas disponíveis no Brasil para o tratamento da psoríase em placas moderada a grave na perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar. MÉTODOS: A resposta PASI 90 foi o desfecho avaliado neste estudo. Dados clíni-cos foram calculados com base na razão de risco de uma metanálise em rede, comparando adalimu-mabe, etanercepte, infliximabe, ixequizumabe, secuquinumabe e ustequinumabe a guselcumabe, cujo dado foi obtido no estudo clínico. Foram considerados apenas os custos de medicamentos. O caso-base avaliou o custo por resposta do ano de indução do tratamento. Além disso, conduziu-se uma análise de orçamento fixo. Em um cenário alternativo, analisou-se o custo por resposta do ano de manutenção. Uma análise de sensibilidade avaliou incertezas dos dados clínicos. RESULTADOS: O menor custo por resposta foi de guselcumabe (R$ 98.643), seguido de ixequizumabe (R$ 112.549), ustequinumabe (R$ 124.078), secuquinumabe (R$ 160.930), infliximabe (R$ 208.039), adalimumabe (R$ 208.686) e etanercepte (R$ 639.124). Resultados similares foram observados no cenário alterna-tivo, considerando os custos no ano de manutenção. Guselcumabe demonstrou ser a terapia que tratou mais pacientes com sucesso, considerando um cenário de orçamento fixo. Conclusão: O presente estudo demonstrou que, na perspectiva do Sistema de Saúde Suplementar brasileiro, gu-selcumabe possui o menor custo por resposta entre as terapias biológicas para psoríase em placas moderada a grave, além de tratar com sucesso mais pacientes em um cenário de orçamento fixo.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the cost per response of the biologic therapies available for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis treatment in Brazil from a private payer perspective Methods: Treatment response evaluated in this study was the achievement of PASI 90. Clinical data was calculated based on the risk ratio of a network meta-analysis comparing adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, ixekizumab, secukinumab and ustekinumab to guselkumab, which data was extracted from clinical trials. Only drug acquisition cost were considered. Base case analysis evaluated the first year of treatment cost per response Besides that, a fixed budget analysis was conducted. An alternative scenario analysis considered the maintenance year cost per response. A sensitivity analysis evaluated the clinical data uncertainties. Results: The lowest cost per response was obtained with guselkumab (R$98.643), followed by ixekizumab (R$ 112.549), ustekinumab (R$ 124.078), secukinumab (R$ 160.930), infliximab (R$ 208.039), adalimumab (R$ 208.686), and etanercept (R$ 639.124). Similar results were found in the alternative scenario, with maintenance year costs. Guselkumab demonstrated to be the therapy which successfully treats more patients with a fixed budget. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that, from the Brazilian private payer perspective, guselkumab presents the lowest cost per response among the avail-able biologic therapies for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and is able to successfully treat more patients in a limited budget scenario.

Costo-efectividad de prácticas en salud pública: revisión bibliográfica de las intervenciones de la Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Salud / Cost-effectiveness of public health practices: A literature review of public health interventions from the Mesoamerican Health Initiative

OBJETIVO: Presentar y analizar información de costo-efectividad de intervenciones propuestas por la Iniciativa Mesoamericana de Salud (IMS) en las áreas de nutrición infantil, inmunizaciones, paludismo, dengue y salud materno-infantil y reproductiva. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática de la literatura de evaluaciones económicas publicadas entre el año 2000 y agosto 2009 sobre intervenciones en las áreas de la salud mencionadas, en los idiomas inglés y español. RESULTADOS: Las intervenciones en nutrición y de salud materno-infantil mostraron ser altamente costo-efectivas (con rangos menores a US$200 por año de vida ajustado por discapacidad [AVAD] evitado para nutrición y US$100 para materno-infantil). En dengue sólo se encontró información sobre la aplicación de larvicidas, cuya razón de costo efectividad estimada fue de US$40.79 a US$345.06 por AVAD evitado. Respecto al paludismo, las intervenciones estudiadas resultaron costo-efectivas (

OBJECTIVE: Present and analyze cost-effectiveness information of public health interventions proposed by the Mesoamerican Health Initiative in child nutrition, vaccination, malaria, dengue, and maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted on cost-effectiveness studies published between January 2000 and August 2009 on interventions related to the health areas previously mentioned. Studies were included if they measured effectiveness in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) or death averted. RESULTS: Child nutrition and maternal and neonatal health interventions were found to be highly cost-effective (most of them below US$200 per DALY averted for nutritional interventions and US$100 for maternal and neonatal health). For dengue, information on cost-effectiveness was found just for application of larvicides, which resulted in a cost per DALY averted ranking from US$40.79 to US$345.06. Malarial interventions were found to be cost-effective (below US$150 per DALY averted or US$4,000 per death averted within Africa). In the case of pneumococcus and rotavirus vaccination, cost-effectiveness estimates were always above one GDP per capita per DALY averted. CONCLUSIONS: In Mesoamerica there are still important challenges in child nutrition, vaccination, malaria, dengue and maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health, challenges that could be addressed by scaling-up technically feasible and cost-effective interventions.

Perfil situacional y estrategias de intervención en la región mesoamericana en el área de salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal / Situational profile and intervention strategy in the Mesoamerican region in maternal, neonatal and reproductive health area

Presentar los principales resultados del diagnóstico situacional y plan regional de intervenciones en salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal elaborado como parte de los trabajos del Sistema Mesoamericano de Salud por el grupo de salud materna, reproductiva y neonatal (SMRN) en 2010. Se conformó un grupo de expertos y de representantes de los países de la región (que incluye Centroamérica y nueve estados del sur de México). Se hizo una revisión documental para conformar un diagnóstico situacional, una revisión de prácticas efectivas y se conformó un plan regional de acción. El diagnóstico situacional indica que las tasas de mortalidad materna y neonatal se mantienen inaceptablemente altas en la región. Se propuso como meta regional reducir la mortalidad materna y neonatal de acuerdo a los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. Se conformó un plan regional que identifica intervenciones específicas en SMRN con énfasis en la atención adecuada a las emergencias obstétricas y neonatales, atención calificada al nacimiento, y en planificación familiar. Se sugiere asimismo un plan de implementación a cinco años y una estrategia de evaluación y de capacitación. El plan regional en SMRN puede tener éxito siempre y cuando los aspectos de implementación sean atendidos debidamente.

To present the main results of the regional situation diagnosis and intervention plan developed in 2010 as part of the planning activities of the Mesoamerican Health System by the Working Group on Maternal, Reproductive and Neonatal Health. A group of experts and representatives from countries in the region (Central America and nine southern Mexican states) conducted an exhaustive review of available data to construct a situational analysis and a review of effective practices for improving maternal, reproductive and neonatal health. Finally, the group proposed a regional action plan, defining regional goals and specific interventions. The situational diagnosis suggests that, although there has been progress in the last 10 years, maternal and neonatal mortality rates are still unnaceptably high in the region, with a substantial variability across countries. The group proposed as a regional goal the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality in accordance with the Millenium Development Goals. The regional plan recommends specific maternal and neonatal health interventions emphasizing obstetric and neonatal emergency care, skilled birth attendance and family planning. The plan also includes a five year implementation strategy, along with training and evaluation strategies. The regional plan for maternal, neonatal and reproductive health has the potential to be successful, provided it is effectively implemented.

Costo-efectividad de políticas para el tamizaje de cáncer de mama en México / Cost-effectiveness of breast cancer screening policies in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Generar información de costo-efectividad para optimizar las políticas para el cáncer de mama (CaMa) en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se construyó un modelo Markov que incorpora cuatro procesos interrelacionados del CaMa: la evolución natural, la detección con mamografía, el tratamiento y la dinámica de mortalidad por otras causas, a partir del cual se modelaron 13 estrategias. RESULTADOS: Las estrategias (edad de inicio, porcentaje de cobertura, periodicidad en años)= (48, 25, 2), (40, 50, 2) y (40, 50, 1) representan la ruta óptima de expansión del programa, con un costo por año de vida ganado de 75.3, 116.4 y 171.1 (miles de pesos), respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Las estrategias sobre la vía óptima de expansión del programa producen una razón de costo por año de vida ganado menor a dos veces el PIB per cápita, por lo que se encuentran dentro de lo que se considera una intervención costo-efectiva según los criterios de la OMS.

OBJECTIVE: Generate cost-effectiveness information to allow policy makers optimize breast cancer (BC) policy in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We constructed a Markov model that incorporates four interrelated processes of the disease: the natural history; detection using mammography; treatment; and other competing-causes mortality, according to which 13 different strategies were modeled. RESULTS: Strategies (starting age, percent of coverage, frequency in years)= (48, 25, 2), (40, 50, 2) and (40, 50, 1) constituted the optimal method for expanding the BC program, yielding 75.3, 116.4 and 171.1 thousand pesos per life-year saved, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The strategies included in the optimal method for expanding the program produce a cost per life-year saved of less than two times the GNP per capita and hence are cost-effective according to WHO Commission on Macroeconomics and Health criteria.

A predictive model for the utilization of curative ambulatory health services in Mexico / Un modelo predictivo de la utilización de servicios de salud ambulatorios curativos en México

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the degree to which individual and household variables jointly predict utilization of curative ambulatory services in Mexico for four types of health providers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patient choice of provider (self-care, Ministry of Health, social security, or private provider) when they become ill is modeled using a nested multinomial logit model that uses household and individual variables as predictors. The data are from the Mexican National Health Survey conducted in 2000. RESULTS: Being a social security beneficiary is one of the most important predictors of utilization. A strong positive relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and demand for services was also found, with the strongest relationship being for private providers, followed by social security. Utilization of Ministry of Health (MoH) services was negatively associated with household SES. CONCLUSIONS: Expansion of health insurance coverage should significantly reduce health inequalities due to reduced care-seeking by non-beneficiaries.

OBJETIVO: Estimar el grado en el cual variables individuales, del hogar y comunitarias predicen la utilización de servicios ambulatorios curativos en México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Ante un problema de salud los individuos pueden elegir utilizar servicios médicos, servicios de la Secretaría de Salud (SSa), de la Seguridad Social (SS) o Privados (SP). Esta elección es modelada con datos de la ENSA 2000 mediante un modelo logístico multinomial anidado. RESULTADOS: El predictor más importante de la utilización de servicios de salud fue la derechohabiencia a la SS. Se encontró una fuerte relación positiva entre estatus socioeconómico (ESE) y la utilización de servicios de salud. Dicha relación es mayor para la utilización de SP, seguida de la SS. Se encontró una relación negativa entre el ESE y la utilización de servicios de la SSa. CONCLUSIÓN: Expandir la cobertura de aseguramiento reduciría significativamente las inequidades en salud debidas a la baja utilización de servicios de salud por los no beneficiarios.

Evaluación Inicial del Seguro Popular sobre el Gasto Catastrófico en Salud en México / Seguro Popular's initial evaluation of household catastrophic health spending in Mexico

Objetivo: Estimar el resultado inicial del Seguro Popular de Salud (SPS) sobre el gasto catastrófico en salud (GC) de los hogares. Adicionalmente se estimó la relación de otros factores de importancia sobre el GC. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal a partir de la Encuesta de Evaluación del Seguro Popular levantada en los estados de Colima y Campeche en el segundo semestre del a±o 2002. El estudio se llevó a cabo en el primer semestre del a±o 2005. Se estimó primero la relación del SPS y otras covariables con el GC mediante un modelo probit. Después se estimó nuevamente la relación de las covariables y el GC tomando en cuenta la endogeneidad del GC con la afiliación al SPS, utilizando para ello un modelo probit bivariado. Finalmente, se realizaron algunas simulaciones para ver con más detalle la influencia de la utilización por tipo de servicio sobre el GC. Resultados: Para los hogares afiliados al SPS la probabilidad de incurrir en GC fue casi 8 por ciento menor, en comparación con los hogares no afiliados, controlando por las demás covariables y se corrigió por la endogeneidad. La probabilidad de GC siempre fue menor para los afiliados, independientemente del tercil económico al que pertenecían y del tipo de servicio utilizado. Conclusiones: Los resultados del estudio sugieren que el SPS está protegiendo financieramente a los hogares; sin embargo, aún constituye un reto llegar a la meta de reducción del 75 por ciento del GC.

Objective: Estimating Seguro Popular de Salud's (SPS) initial outcome regarding households' catastrophic health spending (CHS). The relationship of other important factors to the CE was also estimated. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study, based on evaluating Seguro Popular's survey, was carried out in the Mexican states of Colima and Campeche during 2002; it was carried out during the first semester of 2005. SPS and other co-variables' relationship with CHS was estimated by using the probit model. Such relationship was then estimated again using the bi-probit model, but taking endogeneity between CHS and SPS affiliation into consideration. Some simulations led to a detailed analysis of the influence of the use by type of service on the CHS. Results The probability of SPS-affiliated households incurring CHS was about 8 percent less than un-affiliated households (controlled for other co-variables and corrected for endogeneity). The probability of incurring CHS was always less for affiliated people, independently of the income bracket which they belonged to and the kind of services used. Conclusions: The results suggested that SPS is financially protecting households; nevertheless, the goal of a 75 percent reduction in CHS has still to be achieved.

Haciendo frente a la epidemia de VIH/SIDA en México: ¿Una respuesta organizada? / Facing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Mexico: The response of the health sector

Objetivo. Analizar los retos y logros de los sistemas de salud mexicano en la lucha contra el VIH/SIDA a 20 años del descubrimiento del virus. Material y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía pertinente para el caso de México. Los tópicos principales revisados son el perfil epidemiológico del VIH/SIDA; las primeras respuestas del sistema y de la sociedad civil hacia la epidemia; la prevención y los comportamientos de riesgo; atención y tratamiento con énfasis en cobertura y normas terapéuticas; y financiamiento y asignación de recursos. Discusión. En México se produjo una rápida respuesta inicial ante la epidemia que contribuyó a mantenerla limitada a ciertos grupos de la población, no obstante, sin garantizar la protección futura de la población general y de los grupos más afectados. Las prácticas sexuales de riesgo se mantienen elevadas tanto en los grupos considerados tradicionalmente con más prácticas de riesgo como entre los jóvenes. A pesar de que la epidemia en México se considera como concentrada, principalmente en hombres que tienes sexo con hombres (HSH) y usuarios de drogas inyectables (UDI), los esfuerzos de prevención no tienen la suficiente focalización: sólo 13% del gasto en prevención se encuentra dirigido a la población de mayor vulnerabilidad para contraer el VIH. Por otra parte, en los últimos años ha habido un incremento importante en materia de provisión de antirretrovirales: el gasto en los mismos pasó de 30 millones en el año 2001 a 367 millones de pesos para el año 2003 alcanzando una cobertura cercana a 100%. Del total del gasto público en VIH/SIDA, 82.4% lo ejerció la seguridad social y el restante 17.6% lo ejerció la Secretaría de Salud; los fondos de la seguridad social se destinan a la atención y tratamiento de alrededor de 50% de las personas viviendo con VIH/SIDA, mientras que de los de la Secretaría de Salud se financia la otra mitad y la mayor parte de los gastos en prevención. Uno de los retos a que se enfrenta el sistema de salud, que ha logrado una cobertura cercana a 100% de atención con antirretrovirales es el cómo proveer de una atención de calidad, con un monitoreo adecuado, promoción de la adhesión y reconocimiento del problema de resistencia y efectos secundarios, sin un incremento explosivo en los costos.

Objective. To analyze the challenges and accomplishments of the Mexican health system as it faced the HIV/AIDS epidemic over the 20 years since discovery of the virus. Methods. A review of the relevant literature was done. The topics revised were: HIV/AIDS epidemiology, the early response of the health system and civil society, prevention and risk behaviors, care and treatment, and financing and resources allocation. Discussion. In Mexico a rapid initial public response surely contributed to containing any early spread of the epidemic to select populations; whether that spread will continue to be contained is an open question. Sexual risk practices remain high not only among traditional risk populations but also among youth. Even though the epidemic remains concentrated in Mexico, principally among MSM and IDU, only 13% of public HIV prevention funds are directed to key populations at especially high risk of becoming infected or infecting others. In recent years antirretroviral coverage has increased rapidly with funding increasing from 30 to 367 million pesos from 2001 to 2003 and coverage now approaching 100%. Of all health spending on HIV/AIDS in the public sector, 82.4% is spent by the social security institutes and 17.6% by the Ministry of Health. The former provides medical care to about half of PLHA while the latter, in addition to caring for the other half, supports the large majority of prevention expenses. One of the challenges faced by the health system which has largely achieved universal antiretroviral coverage is how to provide quality care with appropriate monitoring, promotion of adherence and recognition and treatment of resistance and adverse effects - without dramatically increasing costs.