[Private expenditure in health by state in Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
Present information on the magnitude and composition of private health expenditure (PHE) in Mexico.


METHODS
Total PHE by state was calculated using the System of National Health Accounts and National Performance Assessment Survey 2002-2003 by means of elasticities and growth relative contributions.


RESULTS
58% of the total PHE was private and 90% of this was out-of-pocket expenditure. Most of the latter is expenditure in ambulatory care and drugs. 60% of the PHE was concentrated in only six states. PHE was lower than public expenditure in six states.


CONCLUSIONS
The magnitude of out-of-pocket expenditure in health is worrying, since it is the most unfair, inefficient and regressive way of financing health care. Health authorities should look for alternative ways to finance health care, like the Popular Health Insurance.
Sesma-Vázquez
Sergio
S
Dirección General de Evaluación del Desempeño, Secretaría de Salud, México, DF, Mexico. ssesma@salud.gob.mx
Pérez-Rico
Raymundo
R
Martínez-Monroy
Tania
T
Lemus-Carmona
Edith Arely
EA
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005544:Forecasting; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000639:trends; D008800:Mexico; D008962:Models, Theoretical