Health services utilization in Mexico: the 2022 cascade of care

Abstract

Objective. To describe the selection of health care providers for a health need among the Mexican population in 2022. Materials and methods. We used the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2022. Results. From 24.6% of the population that reported a health need in the last three months, 44% received care in public health facilities. The use of private services was extensive but was higher for the population without social security. We found that 71% of the reasons for not selecting the facility of their affiliation is access and 21%, perceived quality. The reasons to select the facility where they received care included affiliation, distance and cost; quality aspects were rapid care and satisfaction with service. Conclusions. Improving access (distance, service hours, bureaucratic barriers) could help reduce the inequalities on health care access and out-of pocket expenditures associated with the use of private services, particularly among the population without social security.