Mexico Advances Student Health Assessments Nationwide

Mexico’s Ministry of Public Education (SEP) reports that over 7.6 million primary and lower-secondary students have undergone health evaluations since March, as part of the federal strategy Vive saludable, vive feliz. The initiative, promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to complete assessments for 11.2 million students by the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

Mario Delgado, Ministry of Public Education, says the coordinated effort has reached 60,008 schools through 8,118 brigadistas from IMSS, IMSS-Bienestar, the Ministry of Health, state and national DIF systems, and local education authorities. He adds that the data generated through these evaluations is now available to families so they can access clinical follow-up when needed. “Now we need the support of families to achieve the healthiest, strongest, and happiest generation in history,” Delgado says.

The strategy was launched to address gaps in preventive health services for school-aged children and to create early pathways for detecting issues that may affect learning, well-being, or long-term development. The federal government designed the program as a systemwide intervention linking schools to health institutions, with the goal of establishing a consistent standard for monitoring physical development indicators among students across the country. Authorities emphasize that parental participation is key to ensure that results lead to timely and effective care.

Delgado explains that families receive a results sheet by email, SMS, or through the online portal. The document includes basic information such as the student’s name, CURP, school, grade, age, and the date of the assessment. It also outlines recommendations and alerts that indicate whether a clinical appointment is necessary. He urges parents to verify the accuracy of the information and to follow through with any suggested actions. “It is very important that parents and families attend to the recommendations of this results sheet,” he adds.

The rollout of Vive saludable, vive feliz has progressed at different speeds across states. Five entities — Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Puebla, Chiapas and Morelos — are scheduled to complete their assessments this week. Ten states have surpassed an 80% completion rate, including Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Hidalgo, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, Mexico City, Queretaro, and the State of Mexico. Thirteen more report between 60% and 79% completion, among them Tabasco, Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Durango, Jalisco, Sinaloa, Yucatan, Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California Sur, Campeche, and Colima. Four states — Quintana Roo, Michoacan, Oaxaca, and Guerrero — remain below 60%, though the ministry says all schools will be visited within the established timeline.

The program arrives at a time when Mexico’s health system faces structural challenges linked to underinvestment, population aging, and a rise in chronic diseases. These pressures have strained access, response capacity, and the continuity of preventive services for children. Public health specialists say that school-based interventions can support early detection of conditions such as nutritional deficiencies, vision problems, hearing issues, or indicators of chronic disease risk. By standardizing screenings and linking them to national healthcare networks, authorities aim to reduce fragmentation and provide more consistent pathways to care.

The strategy also aligns with broader national efforts to integrate public health and education policies. As part of this approach, SEP stresses collaboration among federal and state institutions, including education authorities, local health services, and social protection agencies. Officials highlight that the large-scale mobilization of brigadistas reflects an interinstitutional model designed to deliver preventive services where children are already located, reducing the burden on families who may face barriers accessing clinics.

Delgado says the government expects the remaining visits to advance steadily during the second half of the school year. As more data becomes available, the ministry plans to analyze national and state-level trends to identify priority needs. Authorities anticipate that the results will influence future planning for school health programs and help shape long-term strategies to improve children’s well-being.

While the initiative still requires follow-through from both families and local systems, officials argue that the early results show that large-scale coordination can support a more preventive orientation in public health. The ministry says it will continue urging parents to consult the results portal, schedule recommended appointments, and use the provided guidance to support their children’s health.