Mexico's Health Commission Advances Six Public Health Reforms

Mexico’s Health Commission has approved six positive rulings amending the General Health Law to strengthen the country’s approach to mental health, women's health, disease prevention, and public health emergencies.

The Health Commission of Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies approved six legislative reforms that aim to update the General Health Law across multiple public health fronts. The approved measures include changes related to gestational loss, mental health services, socioemotional education, menstrual health, prevention of noncommunicable diseases, and the notification of health risks.

One of the key reforms addresses support for women and families experiencing gestational loss. The approved initiative proposes changes to Articles 62 and 64 Bis of the General Health Law. It mandates health services to provide emotional and psychological guidance in the event of perinatal or neonatal death. Lawmakers emphasized the need for a comprehensive support system, noting that 17.2% of women in Mexico experience gestational loss.

A second measure strengthens mental health services by outlining a framework for an inclusive and community-based mental health system. The reform highlights the need for sectoral coordination, suicide prevention strategies, and culturally appropriate services with a gender and youth rights perspective. Legislators cited rising suicide rates in Mexico, 8,837 recorded in 2023, as a public health concern that requires immediate policy intervention and resource allocation.

In addition, the Commission approved reforms to promote socioemotional education and violence prevention. The amendment to Article 65 introduces mandatory education programs targeting children, adolescents, parents, and guardians. Legislators argued that early intervention in emotional well-being is essential to mitigate the growing rates of psychological violence among minors.

Another reform addresses menstrual and women’s health, including the menopausal and climacteric stages. The approved changes expand the scope of health services to include preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic care, beyond basic menstrual hygiene. Legislators noted that public health strategies should eliminate stigmas and ensure that services are available throughout a woman’s reproductive life.

The Commission also voted to include noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention in the operational guidelines of the National Health System. The amendment to Article 6 aims to prioritize education and outreach on obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, conditions that remain prevalent across the country. Lawmakers urged special focus on rural, Indigenous, and Afro-Mexican communities, where access to health information remains limited.

A final measure mandates the notification of potential public health threats. Under the reformed Articles 137 and 138, healthcare professionals and institutions must report transmissible diseases or any condition that could pose a risk to the general population. This effort responds to the need for early warning systems, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the consequences of delayed reporting.