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PubMed1997

Community screening for rheumatic disorder: cross cultural adaptation and screening characteristics of the COPCORD Core Questionnaire in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The PANLAR-COPCORD Working Group. Pan American League of Associations for Rheumatology. Community Oriented Programme for the Control of Rheumatic Disease.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To adapt the Community Oriented Programme for the Control of Rheumatic Disease (COPCORD) Core Questionnaire (CCQ) for use as a rheumatic disease screening instrument in Spanish and Portuguese communities in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, including translation and back translation, and assessment of cross cultural equivalence and reliability. (2) To determine the screening characteristics of the CCQ, specifically the sensitivity and specificity of Spanish and Portuguese versions for detecting cases of rheumatic disorder compared with a full clinical examination by a rheumatologist. (3) To determine the number of clinical examinations that could be avoided in population studies by applying the CCQ followed by a clinical examination in positive CCQ screenees. METHODS: Translation and assessment of cross cultural equivalence were conducted by practising rheumatologists in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico using standardized methods. Back translation was done by an independent rheumatologist (Brazil), a radiologist (Chile), and a general physician (Mexico). Interviewer agreement was assessed in all sites in a convenience sample. Sensitivity and specificity were assessed by independently administering the CCQ and a full clinical examination to a sample of 200 persons aged 15 years or older, randomly selected from communities in Sao Paulo, Brazil (n = 200), Temuco, Chile (n = 200), and Mexico City, Mexico (n = 200). RESULTS: (1) Cross cultural equivalence and back translation of the modified questionnaire were satisfactory. Interviewer agreement was acceptable. (2) In groups from Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, respectively, the overall prevalence of rheumatic disease based on clinical examination was 33.3, 45.1, and 46.3%. The sensitivity and specificity of 2 definitions of a positive CCQ screening for the presence of rheumatic disorder were: Definition 1 (no trauma, present pain, tenderness, swelling or stiffness in bones, joints or muscles): sensitivity, 91.8, 96.0, 84.0; specificity, 70.0, 35.5, 61.0; Definition 2 (Definition 1 plus pain intensity > or = 4 and 11 point category rating scale): sensitivity, 66.2, 86.3, 42.7; specificity, 82.3, 41.9, 80.0. (3) In groups from Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, respectively, positive screening by Definition 1 followed by a clinical examination avoids 499, 213, and 403 clinical examination per 1000 respondents screened and yields an overall prevalence of rheumatic disorder of 30, 43, and 40%. The addition of pain intensity (Definition 2) increased the total number of examinations avoided, but reduced the prevalence estimate compared to Definition 1 (22.0, 39.0, and 20.0%). CONCLUSION: The CCQ appears promising as a screening tool to detect rheumatic disorder in Spanish and Portuguese speaking communities in a developing country. The findings suggest that the CCQ followed by a full clinical examination in positive respondents can provide an acceptable estimate of prevalence of rheumatic disorder. The total number of clinical examinations that must be administered in population based prevalence surveys can be reduced by using the CCQ, while maintaining satisfactory accuracy. Our findings need to be confirmed in further applications of the CCQ.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Eradication, control or neither? Hookworm vs malaria strategies and Rockefeller Public Health in Mexico.

Malaria's epidemiological importance in Mexico greatly exceeded that of hookworm, but the Rockefeller Foundation (RF) paid far more attention to hookworm. Although the RF collaborated with malaria campaigns around the world, malaria was only incidental to the RF's activities in Mexico. The hookworm campaign, on the other hand, involved the RF at every stage, from conceptualization and design to financing, hiring, and day-to-day administration. This paper seeks to understand why the RF's involvement in Mexico differed for the two diseases and what the organizational, political, and health implications were for these divergent approaches. Beginning in the mid 1920s the Mexican government developed a modest anti-larval service, periodically draining and filling ditches and swamps, dusting Paris green, petrolizing stagnant water, and administering quinine. Following the RF's 1927 shift towards scientific investigation, it began to sponsor small-scale malaria research, collecting climatological, entomological, epidemiological, and clinical information. The Mexican government eagerly petitioned the RF to join a national effort, but it was reluctant to become involved. A National Malaria Campaign was established in 1935 under President Lázaro Cárdenas to coordinate education, sanitary engineering, and treatment. The popular Campaign followed RF strategies even without its direct participation. Meanwhile, the RF avidly pursued modest malaria research in Mexico, funding U.S. investigators to conduct experiments on pesticides, mosquito-trapping, and controversially, watering methods for rice. These efforts culminated in the world's first field trial of DDT against louse-borne typhus and later as a residual spray for malaria. In the end the RF used Mexico as a convenient locale for scientific research that had global implications but only an incidental relationship to Mexico's own Malaria Campaign. Likewise, the RF's much more active hookworm program was more a means than an end, leading not to eradication of the disease, but to Mexico's commitment to modern public health organization and methods.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Implications of the distribution of Albumin Naskapi and Albumin Mexico for new world prehistory.

The known distributions of two mutational variants of the albumin gene that are restricted to Mexico and/or North America, Albumin Mexico (AL*Mexico) and Albumin Naskapi (AL*Naskapi), were expanded by the electrophoretic analysis of sera collected from more than 3, 500 Native Americans representing several dozen tribal groups. With a few exceptions that could be due to recent, isolated cases of admixture, AL*Naskapi is limited to groups that speak Athapaskan and Algonquian, two widely distributed language families not thought to be related, and to several linguistically unrelated groups geographically proximate to its probable ancestral homeland. Similarly, AL*Mexico is limited to groups that speak Yuman or Uto-Aztecan, two language groups in the American Southwest and Baja California not thought to be closely related to each other, and to several linguistically unrelated groups throughout Mexico. The simultaneous consideration of genetic, historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence suggests that AL*Naskapi probably originated on the northwestern coast of North America, perhaps in some group ancestral to both Athapaskans and Algonquians, and then spread by migration and admixture to contiguous unrelated, or distantly related, tribal groups. AL*Mexico probably originated in Mexico before 3,000 years BP then spread northward along the Tepiman corridor together with cultural influences to several unrelated groups that participated in the Hohokam culture.

Albumins↗
PubMed1983

Potential labor force supply and replacement in Mexico and the states of the Mexican Cession and Texas: 1980-2000.

"The purpose of this article is to carry forward the examination of potential labor force supply and replacement of men in Mexico into the 1980-1990 and 1990-2000 decades so that the possible future course of international migration between that country and the United States may be better anticipated. In addition, to provide a degree of developmental perspective, trends in potential labor force supply and replacement in Mexico since 1930-40 are presented." As a contrast, "ratios of potential labor force supply and replacement in the southwestern United States--the states of the Mexican Cession and Texas, which were formerly part of Mexico--also are shown for the 1980-1990 and 1990-2000 intervals." The results suggest that "in Mexico, the projected number of males entering the labor force ages will be about 48 percent larger in the 1980s than in the 1970s.... Fertility declined significantly in Mexico in the 1970s, and therefore the number of new entrants to the labor force ages in the 1990s will decline...." The implications for international migration between Mexico and the United States are considered.

Americas↗
PubMed1990

A permanent US-Mexico border environmental health commission. Council on Scientific Affairs.

Public health officials, physicians, and politicians have long been aware of the squalid environmental conditions existing along the US-Mexico border. Some attempts have been made to improve the environmental pollution and causes of human disease, beginning as early as the 1930s with the IBWC, established in 1889. More recent agreements and legislation have called for US and Mexico cooperation by way of each nation's corresponding environmental agency (ie, the EPA and Mexico's SEDUE) and their agencies of foreign affairs (ie, the IBWC). Nevertheless, environmental monitoring and disease incidence data continue to point out that public and environmental health along the border--the result of uncontrolled air and water pollution and lack of disease vector control--is rapidly deteriorating and seriously affecting the health and future economic vitality on both sides of the border. Many prominent public health professionals and environmental organizations are concerned that the present working relationship between the United States and Mexico is not functioning well and cannot adequately cope with existing environmental conditions; for one thing, the efforts of the EPA and SEDUE are reviewed no more frequently than once a year by a staff quartered in Washington and Mexico City. Some projects to improve these conditions have been undertaken by the EPA and SEDUE and the IBWC; at present, the prospects for success do not appear promising. Consequently, these individuals and organizations have urged creation of a US-Mexico border environmental health commission. Congress did see fit last year to give responsibility for the environment to the IBWC in the form of Public Law 100-465. This law, however, does not address the full severity of environmental and public health degradation along the border; it does not address the pollution of the New River, Agua Prieta, the San Pedro River, or the Pacific Ocean, neither does it offer remedial control of hazardous waste sites, rabies, and other disease vectors. Moreover, the IBWC is only a deliberative body, not an implementing one.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2003

Primates as pets in Mexico City: an assessment of the species involved, source of origin, and general aspects of treatment.

The large human populations in cities are an important source of demand for wildlife pets, including primates, and not much is known about the primate species involved in terms of their general origin, the length of time they are kept as pets, and some of the maintenance problems encountered with their use as pets. We report the results of a survey conducted in Mexico City among primate pet owners, which was aimed at providing some of the above information. We used an ethnographic approach, and pet owners were treated as informants to gain their trust so that we could enter their homes and learn about the life of their primate pets. We surveyed 179 owners of primate pets, which included 12 primate species. Of these, three were native species (Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta pigra, and A. palliata). The rest were other neotropical primate species not native to Mexico, and some paleotropical species. Spider monkeys and two species of howler monkeys native to Mexico accounted for 67% and 15%, respectively, of the primate cases investigated. The most expensive primate pets were those imported from abroad, while the least expensive were the Mexican species. About 45% of the native primate pets were obtained by their owners in a large market in Mexico City, and the rest were obtained in southern Mexico. Although they can provide companionship for children and adults, primate pets are subject to a number of hazards, some of which put their lives at risk. The demand by city dwellers for primate pets, along with habitat destruction and fragmentation, exerts a significant pressure on wild populations in southern Mexico.

Accidents↗
PubMed1997

Molecular genetics of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Mexico.

Several studies carried out between 1965 and 1985 showed that G-6-PD deficiency in Mexico is heterogeneous at the biochemical level and that the G-6-PD A- phenotype is relatively common. We have now investigated the molecular basis of G-6-PD deficiency in Mexico. Up-to-date 60 chromosomes with G6PD mutations have been studied, 16 in previous studies and 44 in the present work. Molecular analysis of DNA from G-6-PD deficient Mexican mestizos and their relatives show that G-6-PD A- genotypes are relatively common but also that in Mexico G-6-PD deficiency is heterogeneous at the DNA level. Thus, five different genotypes have been observed: G-6-PD A-(202A/376G) (41 chromosomes), G-6-PD A-(376G/968C) (14 chromosomes), G-6-PD Seattle844C (3 chromosomes), G-6-PD "Mexico City"680A (1 chromosome) and G-6-PD Guadalajara1159T (1 chromosome). The G-6-PD A-(202A/376G), G-6-PD A-(376G/968C) and G-6-PD Seattle844C mutations in Mexico are on the same Pvu II/ Pst I/ 1311 / Nla III haplotypes as found in individuals from Africa, Spain and the Canary Islands. Consequently, these mutations were probably imported to Mexico through African slaves and/or the Spanish immigrants during and after the colonization.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Epidemiologic panorama of colorectal cancer in Mexico, 1980-1993.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer-related death in the world, with 468,000 estimated deaths in 1993. In some countries mortality rates have started to decline, and survival rates have increased. In this study performed in Mexico, information is presented on the increase in mortality from this form of cancer, especially in more economically developed areas. METHODS: The mortality trend for colorectal cancer was evaluated and standardized by five-year age groups in the period 1980 to 1993. Also, the standardized mortality ratio was calculated for Mexico's 32 states, as was the possible association between mortality and indicators of rurality level and fertility rates in the different regions of Mexico. RESULTS: In the period studied, 18,962 deaths were officially reported. The average age of death was 66 years. The mortality rate among women (1.8) was significantly higher than among men (1.55 per 100,000 inhabitants). Mortality from colorectal cancer grew by 100 percent in both genders (beta = 0.089; P < 0.001), especially in the age group 34 and younger, in the 45 to 49 age group, and in the older than 75 age group (P < 0.05). The standardized mortality ratio was greater in the states in the north of Mexico. Finally, an inverse correlation was observed throughout Mexico between the rurality index (r = -0.60; P < 0.001) and the fertility rates (r = -0.43; P < 0.05) and mortality from colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there is evidence that mortality from this cancer is higher in geographic areas with greater socioeconomic development, similar to regional patterns observed in other countries. In Mexico, the coming years will see a serious epidemic in mortality from this disease; therefore, immediate attention must be given to identifying the profile of high-risk subjects and implementing early cancer detection measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Pilot study of a survey of US residents purchasing medications in Mexico: demographics, reasons, and types of medications purchased.

BACKGROUND: Medications sold only by prescription in the United States are easily obtained in Mexican pharmacies without prescriptions. Few studies have researched the impact of this phenomenon in the United States. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this pilot study was to determine the demographics of Americans traveling to Mexico to purchase medications, their reasons for doing so, and which medications they purchased. METHODS: US residents purchasing medications in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico, were given a voluntary, self-administered questionnaire. Some questions had more than 1 potential answer. RESULTS: A total of 103 pharmacy consumers were approached, of whom 100 agreed to participate; no data were gathered on the 3 pharmacy consumers who declined to participate. The survey results indicated that 60.0% of participants (60 participants) had private insurance, 18.0% (18 participants) had Medicare, 3.0% (3 participants) had some other form of insurance, and 19.0% (19 participants) had no insurance at all. The primary reason cited by participants for traveling to Mexico to purchase medications was lower prices (accounting for 66.7% of all reasons given). Infection was the primary disease treated, accounting for 28.2% of types of conditions cited (42/149), and ampicillin was the drug most frequently purchased, accounting for 16.8% (25/149) of all medication purchases. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study indicates that US residents travel to Mexico to purchase medications for many reasons and for many different medical conditions, including chronic conditions. The most frequently cited reason for purchasing medications in Mexico was lower prices, even among participants with some form of health insurance. This finding suggests that until drug pricing is further addressed in the United States, residents will continue to seek lower-cost alternatives for purchasing their medications, including travel to Mexico.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Constructing access to legal abortion services in Mexico City.

For the last three decades, government and health institutions have recognised that unsafe abortion is an important social and public health problem in Mexico. Although the Penal Code in every state defines at least one situation in which abortion is legal, access to legal abortion services is restricted for women throughout Mexico. In August 2000, the Mexico City Legislative Assembly reformed the Penal Code to include a wider range of grounds on which abortion is legal and added regulations to ensure access to legal abortion services in cases of rape and forced artificial insemination. The Mexican Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the reforms in January 2002. This paper describes a collaborative project between Ipas Mexico and the Mexico City Department of Health to provide legal abortions in cases of rape and to ensure that comprehensive health services for survivors of sexual violence are available and accessible. It describes a model of care being introduced into 15 public general and maternal-child health hospitals in Mexico City through a programme of multi-disciplinary consciousness-raising workshops and training courses on sexual violence and legal abortion. Few health care providers have had prior training in service provision for survivors of sexual violence or abortion service delivery. Workshop participants showed a high level of willingness to participate in legal abortion services for survivors of sexual violence when and if they are receive solid institutional support.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pedestrian traffic injuries in Mexico: a country update.

Road traffic injuries in general and pedestrian injuries in particular are a major public health problem in Mexico, especially in large urban areas. Analysis of mortality and road crashes at the national level was done using routine data recorded on death certificates. Fatality rates for different age groups were estimated by region for the year 2000. These data were supplemented by a cross-sectional study of pedestrian injuries in Mexico City based on death certificates information for pedestrians who lived and died in Mexico City between 1994 and 1997. Participant observation of physical spaces where crashes occurred was carried out. The spaces were filmed and in-depth interviews of survivors conducted. Road traffic crashes were responsible for approximately 17,500 deaths in Mexico during 2000. The mean age of the victims was 37 years. Mexico lost an average of 30 years of productive life for each individual who died in a traffic crash--525,000 years in 2000. An estimated 9500 (54.3%) of all fatalities were pedestrians, and for every pedestrian death there were 13 others who sustained nonfatal injuries requiring medical care. The overall crude mortality rate for pedestrian injuries in Mexico City was 7.14 per 100,000 (CI 6.85-7.42). A concentration of deaths was observed in 10 neighborhoods at specific types of street environments. The underlying factors included dangerous crossings and the absence or inadequacy of pedestrian bridges, as well as negative perceptions of road safety by pedestrians. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of elucidating the underlying contextual determinants of pedestrian injuries.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2006

Trends in production, trafficking, and consumption of methamphetamine and cocaine in Mexico.

Over the past decade, Mexico has experienced a significant increase in trafficking of cocaine and trafficking and production of methamphetamine. An estimated 70% of United States cocaine originating in South America passes through the Central America-Mexico corridor. Mexico-based groups are now believed to control 70%-90% of methamphetamine production and distribution in the United States. Increased availability of these drugs at reduced prices has led to a parallel rise in local drug consumption. Methamphetamine abuse is now the primary reason for seeking drug abuse treatment in a number of cities, primarily in northwestern Mexico. Although cocaine and methamphetamine use have been linked with the sex trade and high-risk behaviors, such as shooting gallery attendance and unprotected sex in other settings, comparatively little is known about the risk behaviors associated with use of these drugs in Mexico, especially for methamphetamines. We review historical aspects and current trends in cocaine and methamphetamine production, trafficking, and consumption in Mexico, with special emphasis on the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Additionally, we discuss the potential public health consequences of cocaine use and the recent increase in methamphetamine use, especially in regards to the spread of bloodborne and other infections, in an effort to inform appropriate public health interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The development of a quality information system: a case study of Mexico.

One of the primary obstacles in the implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) programmes in developing countries is the lack of timely and appropriate information for decentralized decision-making. The integrated quality information system (QIS) described herein demonstrates Mexico's unique effort to package four separate, yet mutually reinforcing, tools for the generation and use of quality-related information at all levels of the Mexican national health care system. The QIS is one element of the continuous quality improvement programme administered by the Secretariat of Health in Mexico. Mexico's QIS was designed to be flexible and capable of adapting to local needs, while at the same time allowing for the standardization of health care quality assurance indicators, and subsequent ability to measure and compare the quality performance of health facilities nationwide. The flexibility of the system extends to permit the optimal use of available data by health care managers at all levels of the health care system, as well as the generation of new information in important areas often neglected in more traditional information systems. Mexico's QIS consists of four integrated components: 1) a set of client and provider surveys, to assess specific issues in the quality of health services delivered; 2) client and provider national satisfaction surveys; 3) a sentinel health events strategy; and 4) a national Comparative Performance Evaluation System, for use by the Secretariate of Health for the quality assessment of state and provincial health care services (internal benchmarking). The QIS represents another step in Mexico's ongoing effort to use data for effective decision-making in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of services delivered by the national health care system. The design and application of Mexico's QIS provides a model for decentralized decision-making that could prove useful for developing countries, where the effective use of quality indicators is often limited. Further, the system could serve as a mechanism for motivating positive change in the way information is collected and used in the process of ensuring high quality health care service delivery.

Benchmarking↗
PubMed2006

Understanding the increased risk of neural tube defect-affected pregnancies among Mexico-born women in California: immigration and anthropometric factors.

Mexico-born women in the United States have an unexplained twofold increased risk of neural tube defect (NTD)-affected pregnancies. We examined whether immigration characteristics were associated with the NTD risk and whether anthropometric factors contributed to the increased risk among Mexico-born women. Data were derived from a large population-based case-control study in California. In-person interviews were conducted with mothers of 538 (88% of eligible) NTD-affected fetuses/infants and mothers of 539 (88%) randomly selected non-malformed control infants. The crude odds ratio (OR) for NTDs among all Mexico-born women, women residing <2 years in the US, and women >16 years old at immigration compared with non-Hispanic white women was 2.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8, 3.3], 7.2 [95% CI = 3.7, 14.0] and 3.0 [95% CI = 2.0, 4.4], respectively. Risk for second- or third-generation Mexican-Americans was similar to that of white women. The crude OR for all Mexico-born women was reduced from 2.4 to 2.0 [95% CI = 1.3, 3.0] and for those residing <2 years in the US from 8.4 to 7.1 [95% CI = 3.2, 15.3] after adjustment for maternal body mass index (BMI), height, compromised diet, diabetes, and other known risk factors. In term pregnancies, additional adjustment for pregnancy weight gain reduced the OR in all Mexico-born women and recent immigrants by 16% and 25%, respectively. Low pregnancy weight gain (<10 vs. 10-14 kg) was particularly associated with increased NTD risk among Mexico-born women (OR(ADJ) = 5.8; 95% CI = 2.1, 15.8). Findings indicate that recent Mexican immigrants have a sevenfold increased risk for NTDs. Maternal BMI and height contributed very little, and inadequate weight gain contributed modestly to the NTD risk disparity for Mexican immigrants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Transmission of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Texas and Mexico.

To examine the transmission of drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis between Texas and Mexico, Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates resistant to one or more of the first-line antimycobacterial drugs were obtained from 606 patients who resided in Texas and 313 patients who resided in Mexico, primarily within the state of Tamaulipas. The isolates were genotyped by IS6110-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and spoligotyping. Of the 919 isolates genotyped, 413 (45%) grouped into 105 clusters containing 2 or more isolates with identical genotypes. In addition to having identical genotypes, identical drug resistance patterns were identified in 250 isolates in 78 clusters (DR clusters). Twenty DR clusters, containing isolates from 32% of the total number of patients infected with DR strains, were geographically distributed across Mexico and Texas. Within this population of 919 patients infected with DR isolates, the probability of being in a DR cluster was the same for residents of Mexico and Texas. In Texas, the significant independent predictors of clustering within DR clusters as opposed to genotype clusters were found to be race, age, country of birth, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection status, and resistance to more than one drug. Specifically, isolates from African Americans, individuals under age 65, individuals born in the United States, and HIV-positive individuals were each more likely to be associated with a DR cluster. By contrast, no significant independent predictors of clustering in a DR cluster were identified in Mexico. Although some DR M. tuberculosis strains are geographically restricted, this study suggests that a number of strains are transmitted between Mexico and the United States.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

LDL size and subclass pattern in Mexico City residents and San Antonio Mexican Americans.

Recent studies suggest that a relative abundance of small dense LDL is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. We compared LDL size in Mexico City residents (n = 191) and San Antonio Mexican Americans (n = 282), two genetically similar populations that differ markedly in dietary behaviors: in Mexico City approximately 62% of calories are from carbohydrate and approximately 19% from fat, and in San Antonio approximately 40% of calories are from carbohydrate and approximately 40% from fat. Mean LDL size in Mexico City was 258.6 +/- 0.9 A, and in San Antonio, 255.9 +/- 0.6 A (P = .013). After adjustment for the higher triglyceride and lower HDL cholesterol levels (the two most important predictors of LDL size) in Mexico City, LDL size was significantly lower in San Antonio than in Mexico City by -8.33 +/- 0.84 A (P < .001). Our data suggest that the higher triglyceride concentrations in Mexico City residents that are associated with a higher carbohydrate diet may not be associated with atherogenic changes in LDL.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Globalization and the transfer of hazardous industry: asbestos in Mexico, 1979-2000.

This study quantified asbestos use in Mexico in the past decade and evaluated available data on mortality due to malignant mesothelioma in Mexico between 1979 and 2000. Mortality data were analyzed from secondary databases of the Mexican Social Security System and the Ministry of Health. Data on the import and export of asbestos in Mexico were obtained from the Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development of Mexico. Deaths due to pleural mesothelioma significantly increased in this period. Although the import of asbestos declined, the number of Mexican products that contain asbestos tripled. Export of Mexican asbestos-containing products to Central America grew rapidly in the last ten years of the study. Mexico continues the appreciable use of asbestos and has experienced a significant increase in the occurrence of the sentinel asbestos-related disease, malignant mesothelioma. Given the many limitations to the control of hazardous work exposures in Mexico, a ban on asbestos is advocated as the most feasible means of limiting an epidemic of asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos↗
PubMed2002

Alcohol and suicide death among American Indians of New Mexico: 1980-1998.

The relationship between alcohol use prior to suicide was explored among American Indian decedents in New Mexico for the years 1980 through 1998. The suicide data were collected from New Mexico Vital Statistics and toxicology reports from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator and matched on a case-by-case basis. Detailed analyses were undertaken for all cases of resident New Mexico Indians from the Navajo, Pueblo, and Apache cultures. Alcohol was detected in 69% of all suicides of American Indians with some variance by major tribal cultural groups (range = 62.1% to 84.4%). This is higher than in suicides among the overall New Mexico population (44.3%). The mean blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the drinking Indian decedents at suicide was 0.198 (+/- SD of .088). Mean BACs were high for both males (0.199) and females (0.180) who had been drinking. Over 90% of the Indian decedents who had been drinking had BACs greater than the legal intoxication level of 0.08. The Navajo had the lowest percentage of cases that were alcohol involved, and their mean BAC was lower than the other two cultural groups. Alcohol use for completed suicides also varied somewhat by age, sex, method of suicide, and place of occurrence, but very little by whether the decedent was an on or off reservation resident. Analyses indicated that alcohol use prior to suicide was significantly more associated with male suicides than for females, and it was negatively correlated for those who died by overdose and also those using other drugs at suicide. Otherwise, alcohol use did not significantly differentiate American Indian suicides by age, use of firearms, hanging, use of other methods, or residence, for the presence of alcohol was a factor very commonly associated with all of these variables. Heavy alcohol consumption is, therefore, an important factor in over two thirds of all completed suicides among the Indians of New Mexico.

Adolescent↗