Health care provider selection and health needs among the Mexican population, 2021

Objective. To estimate the association between the selection of health care providers and the health needs of the population. Materials and methods.We used data from Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutricion 2021 sobre Covid-19. Results. Acute needs (respiratory infections, diarrhea and Covid-19) represent 48%; 21% chronic needs (control, followup or diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, gastritis, cancer); 12% prevention needs (vaccination, checkups, prenatal visits), non- infectious acute events that include physical injuries, headaches, fever (7%), and 4% the rest.The selection between private and public providers depend on the health need. For acute needs only 25% of the population uses public services. For chronic needs, non-infectious acute and preventive need, the proportion that uses public services is larger, including the population without social security. Conclusions. The results of this study can be used to strengthen public services that need more resources in the context of the health systems reform.