Nine percent (10.05 million) of the Mexican population
is over 60 years old, with an annual growth during
the last decade of close to 4 %, and a female aging pattern.
Members of this group live predominantly in urban areas
(74 %), are married or have a partner (60 %), and generally
have very low levels of education. The principal causes of
morbidity, based on official registers, are respiratory infections,
peptic disease, hypertension and diabetes, However,
other sources of health data show that 43 % of the elderly
population had had at least one fall in the past year, and
43 % experienced symptoms of depression. In addition,
10 % were reported to have cognitive decline. The principal
reported causes of mortality are diabetes, and cardiovascular
and pulmonary diseases. Health services and users are divided
according to the health institution that provides the
service. There are three main providers: 1) social security
institutions, 2) public services offered by the Ministry of
Health, and 3) private sector providers. In 2008, the
National Institute on Aging (INGER) was founded in
Mexico. In the next five years the Institute will focus on
development, operation and evaluation of the new elderly
health care system and gerontological/geriatric education,
with a strong evidence-based perspective. In addition, it will
continue the development of biological, clinical, technological
and biomedical research. Mexico should continue to
build programs and policies with a humans rights perspective
and oriented to the adaption of health care the addresses
the needs of the elderly. Specifically, it should be focused on
providing the elderly with primary care, education, and the
resources to avoid functional dependency, and enhance
active and healthy aging, as well as on increasing access
to an adequate information system and specialized training
for human resources that is dedicated to care for the elderly.