translated from Spanish: UNAM study: 94% of Mexicans killed by covid were workers, housewives and retirees

94% of Mexicans killed by covid-19 were workers, housewives and retirees with adverse economic conditions, and half did not finish primary school, revealed a study from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) available on Sunday. In addition, 92% of deaths occurred in public health institutions, with half at the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), while only 2% of deaths occurred in private hospitals, detailed the report “Impact of social determinants of covid-19 in Mexico.” The data mentioned here point to large differences in both the level of contagion and the severity and mortality of covid-19, depending on the socioeconomic level”, determined the research prepared by the Faculty of Medicine of UNAM. Mexico is the fourth country with the highest covid-19 deaths in the world, with more than 221,000 deaths and nearly 2.4 million confirmed contagions. In addition, the crisis would have left an increase of between 8.9 and 9.8 million Mexicans with an income below the Income Poverty Line, according to the National Council for the Evaluation of Social Development Policy (Coneval). UnaM’s study analyzed the figures through March 11, when Mexico reported 2.14 million cases and 192,488 deaths. Research found that “half of the deaths occurred in people with a maximum grade level.” It also reported that low-income urban populations in high socioeconomic municipalities have been more likely to spread and die from covid-19.” In Mexico, low schooling is associated with precarious living and health conditions and an increased risk of death. There is no doubt that covid-19 has greatly affected the lower-school population,” the report said. The analysis cited “very pronounced differences” in the mortality rate of the states, with Mexico City at the forefront with an index of 318 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Baja California with 210 and Sonora with 199, both in the northwest. By contrast, the lowest have been in Chiapas (25), Oaxaca (73) and Michoacán (98), in the south. The report also noted that only one in four infected, 25%, received hospital care.” Nationally, only one in five people who died of covid-19 were served in an Intensive Cities Unit (ICU),” he said. Experts also highlighted the differentiated impact on the nearly 7.2 million indigenous people, with a lethality of 17.4% that “doubles the prevalence in the general population.” It is clear that health inequities in vulnerable groups in our country are a reality that has shaped each individual’s health status and resulted in greater involvement by SARS-CoV-2,” the report concluded.

Original source in Spanish