Local Health Service Response to COVID-19 in Mexico: Notes From an Exploratory Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of a health system is to maintain or improve people's health. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the fragility of health systems worldwide. In Mexico, the pandemic affected the performance of the health system, along with the presence of contextual conditions such as its segmentation and high prevalence of chronic diseases. AIMS: To analyze from an approach to the functions of the health system, the service delivery, human resources, financing, and stewardship/governance in the local health services of five states of Mexico, from the perspective of the staff working in health centers. METHODS: This is an exploratory qualitative study conducted from November 2020 to August 2021, involving 124 health professionals from 39 health facilities (18 rural and 21 urban). The technique used was the semi-structured interview. Interview guides were developed according to core topics. Subsequently, the thematic analysis method was used. RESULTS: The lack of financial resources delayed prevention efforts and made it difficult for health centers to adapt to the crisis. Inequity was found in the distributive efficiency of staff between rural and urban areas and levels of care. In addition, there was evidence of capacity for coordination, capacity sharing, and joint participation between health institutions, civil authorities, and the population to face the emergency. CONCLUSIONS: We identified relevant public health actions that showed the capacity of local health services to organize a response to the pandemic at the level of the actors responsible for these services.

[Tobacco consumption, mortality and fiscal policy in Mexico]. / Consumo de tabaco, mortalidad y política fiscal en México.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze tobacco consumption in the last 12 years, its impact on chronic diseases mortality and the potential benefits of fiscal policy in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the analysis of national health surveys (ENSA, ENSANUT), records of mortality and economic surveys between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence, chronic diseases mortality and consumption were estimated. RESULTS: In 2012, 9.2% and 19% of Mexican youths and adults were current smokers. Between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence did not change. However, the average consumption among adolescents and adults declined whilst the special tobacco tax has being increased. Mortality attributable to tobacco consumption for four diseases was estimated in 60 000 in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco consumption remains the leading cause of preventable death. Increasing taxes on tobacco products could deter the tobacco epidemic and consequently chronic diseases mortality in Mexico.

Consumo de tabaco, mortalidad y política fiscal en México / Tobacco consumption, mortality and fiscal policy in Mexico

Objetivo. Analizar el tabaquismo, su impacto en mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas y su política fiscal en México. Material y métodos. Se analizaron las encuestas nacionales de salud (ENSA, ENSANUT), registros de mortalidad y encuestas económicas para el periodo 2000-2012 y se estimaron prevalencia, mortalidad y consumo. Resultados. En 2012, 9.2% de los adolescentes y 19% de los adultos son fumadores activos. Entre 2000 y 2012 la prevalencia de tabaquismo permaneció estable. Sin embargo, la cantidad de cigarros promedio consumida se redujo, al tiempo que se han implementado incrementos al impuesto especial a los productos de tabaco. Las muertes atribuibles al consumo de tabaco por cuatro enfermedades se calculó en cerca de 60 000 para 2010. Conclusiones. El tabaquismo es la principal causa de muerte prevenible. El incremento sustancial de los impuestos a los productos de tabaco puede abatir la epidemia de tabaquismo y en consecuencia la mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas en México.

Objective. To analyze tobacco consumption in the last 12 years, its impact on chronic diseases mortality and the potential benefits of fiscal policy in Mexico. Materials and methods. Through the analysis of national health surveys (ENSA, ENSANUT), records of mortality and economic surveys between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence, chronic diseases mortality and consumption were estimated. Results. In 2012, 9.2% and 19% of Mexican youths and adults were current smokers. Between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence did not change. However, the average consumption among adolescents and adults declined whilst the special tobacco tax has being increased. Mortality attributable to tobacco consumption for four diseases was estimated in 60 000 in 2010. Conclusions. Tobacco consumption remains the leading cause of preventable death. Increasing taxes on tobacco products could deter the tobacco epidemic and consequently chronic diseases mortality in Mexico.