Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic compounds Mexico's pre-existing challenges: Very high levels of both non-communicable diseases (NCD) and social inequity. Methods and findings Using data from national reporting of SARS-CoV-2 tested individuals, we estimated odds of hospitalization, intubation, and death based on pre-existing non-communicable diseases and socioeconomic indicators. We found that obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are positively associated with the three outcomes in a synergistic manner. The municipal poverty level is also positively associated with hospitalization and death. Conclusions Mexico's response to COVID-19 is complicated by a synergistic double challenge: Raging NCDs and extreme social inequity. The response to the current pandemic must take both into account both to be effective and to ensure that the burden of COVID-19 not falls disproportionately on those who are already disadvantaged.
CITATION STYLE
Gutierrez, J. P., & Bertozzi, S. M. (2020). Non-communicable diseases and inequalities increase risk of death among COVID-19 patients in Mexico. PLoS ONE, 15(10 October). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240394
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