Public Health in Mexico

Mexico Public Health Initiative

• Context

  Mexico is facing a wide array of new public health challenges, particularly as it confronts numerous challenges related to COVID-19. While policymakers and public health officials continue to deal with the problems of infectious diseases and undernutrition, they are experiencing a rapid growth in disease risk factors such as obesity, particularly in urban settings. Although committing to a universal health care system, the necessary resources have not yet been made available, and a wholesale reform of the system remains pending.

• Vision

  The Mexico Public Health Initiative 2020 vision is the creation of a modern and progressive Mexican health care system that includes perspectives from diverse actors and segment of society.

• Mission

  During its 3-year existence, the Mexico Public Health Initiative has worked to create open spaces for dynamic and productive dialogue on issues of fundamental importance to the future of Mexican health systems. The Mexico Institute is building a dialogue on Mexican public health policy and U.S.-Mexico health policy, including (but not limited to) the following priority issue areas: health sector regulation, government procurement, innovation and technology in public health delivery; government spending and healthcare financing; database management; non-communicable diseases; and PPPs in health, to name a few.

• What Does this Initiative Do?

  Through the Mexico Public Health Initiative 2020, the Mexico Institute will organize an ongoing series of events, publications, and conversations on a range of issues concerning the modernization of health care in Mexico. Programming will include events in Mexico City, bringing together decision makers from Mexico’s public health sector with experts from both the private sector and academia. The purpose of these dialogues will be to discuss international best practices, new ideas, and existing challenges of Mexico’s system.

  The principal themes of this year’s programming will be the twin issues of government procurement practices in the health sector and reform of the main public health regulatory body, COFEPRIS.  In addition, it is hoped that we will have the opportunity to engage with Mexican health decision-makers in Washington, DC.