2023 Prevention Budget Grows By 1 Percent

The 2023 budget for preventive care for those without social security will increase by 1 percent, but this increase might be insufficient to address the needs of this group, found a study by Animal Politico.

The increase will benefit the programs for Prevention and Control of Overweight, Obesity and Diabetes, Prevention and Control against Addictions, Maternal Sexual and Reproductive Health, Prevention and Care of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Care Program for People with Disabilities.

Those without social security represent about 35.5 percent of Mexico’s population, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Most of the Mexican population, about 51 percent, is affiliated to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS).

Preventive programs for overweight, obesity and diabetes will receive 0.9 percent increase, found Animal Politico. But programs to prevent addictions will have a budget increase of only 0.2 percent.

As for 2021, overweight and obesity were Mexico’s primary risk factors for the development of non-communicable or chronic degenerative diseases such as type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, osteoarticular diseases, sleep apnea and certain types of cancer such as breast, prostate and colon. Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are Mexico’s primary causes of death and have been for over a decade. Nevertheless, the figures for these ailments continue and incident rates are increasingly common among the younger population.

Addiction prevention and care were included in the government’s General Health Plan for 2019-2024, when the Ministry of Health announced through the National Commission Against Addiction (CONADIC) the reformulation of the integral strategy to manage addiction. However, low budget assigned could compromise its goals. For example, from 2013 to 2022, Gabriela Zabicky, National Commissioner, CONADIC, warned that crystal meth consumption increased by 500 percent.

Other fundamental programs like the Maternal, Sexual and Reproductive Health Program, which aims to reduce maternal mortality and strengthen perinatal healthcare, will receive a 0.6 percent increase, found Animal Politico. The program also supports the right to a life free of violence, safe abortion, family planning services and disease prevention.