2023-06-21 00:00:54
The majority of Mexicans affirm that inflation is the factor with the greatest negative impact on their health.
44% of those surveyed state that “a person who has done research on their own is just as informed about health issues as doctors”.
Trust continues to be a fundamental pillar for the functioning of the country’s health system and the well-being of patients.
It cannot be denied that the Mexican health system is going through a difficult time. On the one hand, the lack of investment that has occurred decades ago has caused serious damage that is visible today. The state of hospitals and the shortage of medical personnel are directly related to the service offered to patients.
Now, despite all the shortcomings and adversities, doctors always give their best effort. Sometimes it is complicated by all the deficiencies that prevail within hospitals.
Perception of the Mexican health system
With the above in mind, the results of the Special Report Edelman Trust Barometer 2023: Trust and Health, carried out in 13 countries including Mexico. Among the main results, it was obtained that for 79 percent of Mexican respondents, inflation is the factor with the greatest negative impact on their health, followed by the restrictions caused by the pandemic (78 percent).
Additionally, 57 percent say there is a moderate to large gap between how well they take care of their health and how well they should, reflecting an 11-point increase in the gap from last year.
“Health goes beyond the physical, the Edelman Trust Barometer 2023 shows us that financial, environmental and emotional factors have broadened the definition of well-being, raising the expectations of all Mexicans”, said Mariana Sanz, CEO of Edelman Latin America and General Manager of Edelman Mexico.
Trust continues to be a fundamental pillar for the functioning of the country’s health system and the well-being of patients. When people trust the healthcare system and have a good relationship with their doctors, the likelihood that they will make a positive change to their health, such as eating a balanced diet or exercising, increases. On the other hand, the trust placed in brands that care for people’s health also influences consumer purchasing decisions.
Other relevant findings of the Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: Trust and Health for Mexico are the following:
Economic inequality is causing a health crisis in Mexico
• Only 40 percent of low-income people report that their health is “very good or improved,” compared to 62 percent of high-income people who say the same; a difference of 22 points according to the type of income.
• Of people who say there is a gap between how well they take care of their health and how well they should, 69 percent say that the cost of healthy choices, good health care and medical treatments is one of the highest obstacles to taking better care of your health; and 61 percent say that a lack of information and conflicting recommendations from specialists are also a barrier.
The definition of health expands and becomes multidimensional
• 79 percent of Mexicans say that “their health” is made up of four dimensions: mental health, physical health, social health, and how livable their communities are.
• Less than 1 percent of those surveyed in Mexico associate being “healthy” solely with physical health.
• According to the results, mental health, which refers to “feeling happy” and “managing negative emotions”, has the highest level of importance in health, even more than physical health.
We are all becoming more informed
• According to the report, 55 percent of Mexicans affirm that, since before the pandemic, they have been educating themselves more about health issues and verifying the information they receive.
• 44 percent of people between the ages of 18 and 34 agree that “a person who has done research on their own is just as informed about health issues as doctors.”
• The trust placed in friends and family to tell the truth about health issues stands at 78 percent, almost the same level as the trust placed in medical specialists.
Companies and CEOs are expected to play a greater role in health
• Respondents from Mexico expect all institutions, not just the country’s health system, to help them stay healthy, including their employer (83 percent of employees), businesses (82 percent), the government (81 percent of percent), the media (81 percent), and NGOs (79 percent).
• To improve health, companies must provide reliable health information (84 percent), address social issues that affect health, such as climate and inequality (80 percent), improve the health of their local community ( 77 percent) and convene their stakeholders to improve health care (74 percent).
• 80 percent of employees say that to improve the health of teams, the CEO should speak about the importance of mental health at work; 79 percent say that it should be an example of healthy behavior, respecting the boundaries between the work and non-work spheres; and 86 percent say they should apply policies to prevent burnout.
Also read:
The challenges and advances for a digital health system in Mexico
Mexico does not have the resources to offer a universal health system: UNAM
The 10 reasons that prevent achieving a quality health system
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