Mexico Buys Cuban COVID-19 Vaccine: The Week in Health

In Mexico, over 46 percent of the children between five and 11 years old have been vaccinated against COVID-19, said Deputy Minister of Health Hugo López-Gatell. Meanwhile, mental health problems increased in the country following the COVID-19 pandemic, growing by 24 percent during the past three years. 

Ready? This is the Week in Health!

Over 46 Percent of Children Have Been Vaccinated Against COVID-19 

Mexico purchased 9 million doses of Abdala, Cuba’s COVID-19 vaccine. The country also received two shipments from COVAX with 1.2 million and 171,200 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. 

The Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States (CONCAMIN) criticized the decision to buy the Cuban vaccine. “We express the importance of guaranteeing that our children in Mexico receive [vaccines of] the same quality, safety and efficacy that the Mexican government has previously offered us,” said the organization. Find out all the details here.

ILO, Nike Collaborate to Improve Road Safety

Worldwide, 1.3 million people die and over 50 million people get into traffic accidents each year, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). To tackle this problem, the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) Vision Zero Fund and Nike created a joint initiative to reduce commuting accidents among garment and footwear workers. Through a common and standardized approach to reducing road accidents, the organizations aim to create practical guidance on safe commuting for this sector. Read more here.

Suicide Rate Grows 24 Percent in Three Years

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reported that suicides in Mexico increased from 6,000 to 8,448 in the past three years, which represents a 24 percent increase. Suicide prevention remains a major goal for public and private health providers. 

“Deaths due to self-inflicted injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the population aged 15 to 29 years old, only below assaults, accidents and COVID-19. In men, it is the third cause of death, while in women it is the fifth,” said INEGI. See the complete article.

 Public Health Actors Reached 18 Agreements During CONASABI

During the Third Ordinary Meeting of the National Health Council for Wellness (CONASABI), the main actors of the Mexican health system reached 18 agreements on topics of public health such as maternal mortality, breast cancer and hepatitis C. Following the meeting, López-Gatell provided more details regarding the Strategic Health for Wellness Program, which aims to federalize healthcare services through IMSS-Bienestar. Check the note here. 

Blood Test Promises Early Detection of Multiple Types of Cancer

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) informed that the Galleri blood test could be able to detect up to 50 types of cancer even before patients show symptoms of the disease. Early detection is key to reducing cancer mortality, according to the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRFI). Check out the story.