Poverty and gender perspective in productive projects for rural women in Mexico: impact evaluation of a pilot project.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a pilot study that promoted productive and capacity-building activities among deprived rural women of Mexico. The evaluation design is observational; 1,278 women are interviewed, and the comparison group is estimated by propensity score matching. The results show a positive impact on the carrying out of agricultural activities, in the autonomy of women in decision making, as does their perception of their role in the household. However, the project does not decrease the number of hours set aside for household chores or improve the women's technical and administrative skills.

[Health expenditure related to disability. A study with poor population in Mexico]. / El gasto en salud relacionado con la condición de discapacidad. Un análisis en población pobre de México.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of disability and incapacity in health expenditure in poor households in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an analysis of baseline survey of the Oportunidades evaluation. Households with siblings with structural disability or incapacity were identified, and health expenditure was estimated. RESULTS: In 15314 households analyzed, 10.1% had a sibling with structural disability, and 13.4% with mild or severe incapacity. The presence of structural disability was not associated with a higher expenditure in health care. The presence of mild or severe incapacity was associated with 97% higher expenditure in ambulatory care compared with households without incapacity. The poor households have higher health related expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the incapacity to develop day to day activities has a significant impact on the out of pocket health expenditure. This impact is higher in poor households.

Evolution of health coverage in Mexico: evidence of progress and challenges in the Mexican health system.

To consolidate an effective and efficient universal health care coverage requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the health care system in providing services demanded by population in need. This study analyses the dynamics of health insurance coverage and effective access coverage to some health interventions in Mexico. It examines the evolution of inequalities and heterogeneous performance of the insurance subsystems incorporated under the Mexican health care system. Two types of coverage indicators were selected: health insurance and effective access to preventive health interventions intended for normative population. Data were drawn from National Health and Nutrition Surveys 2006 and 2012. The economic inequality was estimated using the Standardized Concentration Index by household per capita consumption expenditure as socioeconomic-status indicator. Approximately 75% of the population reported being covered by one of the existing insurance schemes, representing a huge step forward from 2006, when as much as 51.62% of the population had no health insurance. About 87% of this growth was attributable to the expansion of Non Contributory Health Insurance whereas 7% emanated from the Social Security subsystem. The results revealed that inequality in access to health insurance was virtually eradicated; however, traces of unequal access persisted in some subpopulations groups. Coverage indicators of effective access showed a slight improvement in the period analysed, but prenatal care and interventions to prevent chronic disease still presented a serious shortage. Furthermore, there was no evidence that inequities in coverage of these interventions have decreased in recent years. The results provided a mixed picture, generalizable to the system as a whole, expansion of insurance status represents one of the most remarkable advances that have not been accompanied by a significant improvement in effective access. In addition, existing inequalities are part of the most important challenges to be faced by the Mexican health system.

El gasto en salud relacionado con la condición de discapacidad: un análisis en población pobre de México / Health expenditure related to disability: a study with poor population in Mexico

OBJETIVO: Estimar la relación entre discapacidad y gasto en salud en hogares pobres urbanos de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con la Encuesta de Evaluación Urbana 2002 del Programa Oportunidades se identificaron hogares donde había personas con discapacidad estructural o con alguna limitación de actividades por enfermedad, y se estimó el gasto en salud ambulatorio y hospitalario. RESULTADOS: De 15314 hogares estudiados, 10.1 por ciento incluyó a personas con discapacidad estructural y 13.4 por ciento con limitación de actividades moderada o grave. La discapacidad estructural en el hogar no se asoció con un mayor gasto en salud. Hogares donde había personas con limitaciones graves o moderadas para realizar sus actividades gastaron 97 por ciento más en atención ambulatoria que los hogares sin personas incapacitadas. Los hogares más pobres gastan más en atención médica que los hogares menos pobres. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados indican que la incapacidad para desarrollar actividades diarias tiene un importante efecto sobre el gasto de bolsillo, sobre todo en los hogares más pobres.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of disability and incapacity in health expenditure in poor households in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an analysis of baseline survey of the Oportunidades evaluation. Households with siblings with structural disability or incapacity were identified, and health expenditure was estimated. RESULTS: In 15314 households analyzed, 10.1 percent had a sibling with structural disability, and 13.4 percent with mild or severe incapacity. The presence of structural disability was not associated with a higher expenditure in health care. The presence of mild or severe incapacity was associated with 97 percent higher expenditure in ambulatory care compared with households without incapacity. The poor households have higher health related expenditures. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the incapacity to develop day to day activities has a significant impact on the out of pocket health expenditure. This impact is higher in poor households.