Mexico Launches Nationwide Preventive Health Program

On June 12, President Claudia Sheinbaum officially launched “Salud Casa por Casa” (House-to-House Health Program) initiative, which aims to deliver primary and preventive healthcare directly to the homes of older adults and people with disabilities.

“(The program) will become the most important preventive health program in the world,” states Sheinbaum.

The program will deploy about 20,000 healthcare professionals across the country to conduct in-home visits. These include doctors, nurses, and medical personnel trained to detect chronic and degenerative diseases early, monitor vital signs, and provide immediate care or referrals when needed. The strategy is part of the administration’s broader shift toward a preventive healthcare model.

“This is a comprehensive program focused on improving quality of life, especially for the most vulnerable,” says David Kershenobich, Mexico’s Minister of Health. He adds that the program is designed not only to treat illness but also to enhance general well-being through early detection and disease management.

The program includes evaluations of vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, all of which can be conducted during home visits without the need for laboratory testing. Additionally, screenings for vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive health will be administered, along with vaccination reviews and updates.

Each person visited will receive a National Health Card to track medical information. In cases requiring further attention, professionals can perform basic procedures, provide medical guidance to families, and refer patients to clinics or telehealth consultations when necessary.

The program also supports caregivers by facilitating access to services and guidance, reducing the logistical and emotional burden often associated with managing chronic illnesses or disabilities. Nurses are authorized to prescribe basic medications and can consult remotely with physicians for more complex cases.

Key objectives include improving health outcomes for individuals over 65, minimizing unnecessary hospital visits, increasing access to medication, and expanding the coverage of vaccination programs. Authorities also aim to reduce preventable deaths, including those related to late-stage cancer, through early intervention.

As part of the rollout, healthcare workers have completed training programs based on national medical protocols for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease. These standards also guide decisions on when to escalate care to hospital-level services.

The program represents a fundamental shift toward proactive care delivery, especially in underserved or hard-to-reach communities. Government officials view the initiative as a cornerstone of Mexico’s public health policy moving forward.