Socio-economic determinants of COVID-19 in Mexico

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and quantify the role that social and economic determinants play in the probability of dying from COVID-19, in the case of Mexico. Study design: This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data. Methods: In this study, COVID-19 contagion and mortality data were used, as well as socio-economic variables, from public databases and open access, with which an econometric model was estimated. Results: It shows that the number of deaths can rise when variables related to vulnerable groups increase, such as poverty, lack of services, gender, and age. In addition, having pre-existing medical conditions or lacking access to water can be a significant factor in the increase in deaths. Conclusions: Therefore, this study suggests more policies be developed for vulnerable groups to reduce gaps in inequality, particularly given the current situation in which greater inequality can exacerbate the impact of a disease or an unforeseen situation, as is the case of COVID-19. (c) 2022 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.