Health care utilization during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico: the cascade of care

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to describe trends in selected services offered at public health facilities and utilization patterns during the Covid-19 epidemic in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used administrative data and the National Health and Nutrition Survey Covid-19, 2020. RESULTS: We found a reduction in the rates of diabetes and detection screening during 2020 compared to 2014-2019. From the demand side, we found that 18.6% of the population reported health needs, and only 34% of them received care in public health facilities. The use of private health services was extensive even among the population with social security. The uninsured and the population with high and medium socioeconomic status had a lower probability of receiving care in public health facilities. CONCLUSION: We document trends in selected services, as well as the cascade of care during the Covid-19 epidemic in Mexico and its potential impact on displaced health care.