[Effects of health services and socioeconomic factors in spatial differences in mortality in Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
Mortality in Mexico has decreased significantly, however, regional differences persist. The present work analyzes mortality in Mexico, considering how social and economic factors, as well as the presence of medical centers affect these differences.


METHODS
Data were taken from the XI Population Census, from the statistics published by the Interinstitutional Information Group (Secretaría de Salud) and the publications from the National Statistics, Geography and Informatics Institute. The causal model is defined in terms of the models of covariance structures (LISREL) which allow an estimate of the effect of non-measurable factors affecting the phenomenon. The program used herein was LISREL7.


RESULTS
Social and economic status directly affect regional differences in mortality. The effect of medical centers is less important.


CONCLUSIONS
Regional differences in mortality can be explained by the interaction between social and economic levels and the presence of medical centers. The higher the social and economic level, the lower the mortality rate. Better medical centers are also more frequently used, which is reflected as a lower mortality rate. The regional distribution of medical centers should be improved.
López-Ríos
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Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009026:Mortality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
Efecto de los servicios de salud y de factores socioeconómicos en las diferencias espaciales de la mortalidad mexicana.