[Persisting health and health access inequalities in Mexican indigenous population, 2006-2012].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To analyze socioeconomic, health conditions and access to health services of Mexican indigenous population between 2006 and 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative analysis was done between indigenous and non indigenous population, using the information from th National Health and Nutrition Survey (2006 and 2012). RESULTS: 60% of the indigenous population was allocated at the poorest socioeconomic level in 2012 despite the implementation of social programs. The Seguro Popular increased its coverage from 14 to 61.9% in indigenous population. The increase observed in coverage in no indigenous population was from 10 to 35.7%. Nevertheless, no increase was observed in the utilization of healthcare services between indigenous and non indigenous population. The access to hospital services for childbirth delivery increased from 63.8 to 76.4% in indigenous population. However there is an important difference with non indigenous population (93.9%). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the coverage of the Seguro Popular in Mexico has had heterogeneous results in the utilization of health care services. Other social programs such a Oportunidades have not had an impact to alleviate poverty in indigenous groups.