Mexico

México

• Percent of children screened for hearing loss:
• Incidence of permanent hearing loss among newborns:

Current Status of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention for Children (500 word limit)

The General Hospital of Mexico (Hospital General de México (HGM)) in México City implemented a targeted NHS program in August 2003 and in July 2007 the program was expanded to include all newborns. Some NHS programs have been implemented in a few public and private hospitals around the country as well (Yee-Arellano, 2006). When a baby does not pass the initial screening a re-screening is provided before the baby leaves the hospital. As part of this effort HGM has a manual describing the responsibilities of those involved with the NHS program to make sure babies are not discharged before being screened. This program is coordinated through the audiology service department at HGM.

When a child is identified with a hearing loss, the services available include hearing aids, speech-language therapy, genetic services, cochlear implants and family education. The services are paid for by the government, non-profit organizations and the family. With the implementation of the government sponsored popular insurance plan in Mexico (Universal Insurance for a New Generation) it is expected that access to screening, diagnostic and specialized therapy services will be improved. Through the Ministry of Health and under the coordination of the Audiology Department of the HGM, 520 professionals at 265 hospitals in 29 out of the 32 states in the country have been trained to start screening babies in 2009. Moreover, funds have been allocated to provide hearing screening equipment to 300 entities. A national database will eventually also be implemented to assist with follow up activities.

In February 2005 a national law requiring UNHS and audiological evaluation was passed.

Demographics

• Population (2012 est): 107,700,000
• Number of Annual Births (2012 est): 2,088,000
• Birth rate: 18.87 per 1,000
• Percent of GDP spent on health care (2009): 5.9%
• Percent of Health Care expenditures spent by government: 46.9%
• Physician density: 2.893 per 1,000
• Percent of newborns attended by skilled providers: 94%
• Infant Mortality: 16.77 per 1,000
• Literacy (age 15 and over can read and write): 86.1%

Publications about EHDI Programs in México (maximum of 5)

1. Yee-Arellano, H. M. (2006). Universal newborn hearing screening in Mexico: Results of the first 2 years. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 70(11), 1863-1870.

1. Gerner de Garcia, B., Gaffney, C., Chacon, S., and Gaffney, M. 2011. Overview of newborn hearing screening activities in Latin America. Revista Panamericana de Salud Publica. 29 (3):145-152.

1. Olusanya, B.O., Swanepoel, D.W., Chapchap, M.J., Castillo, S., Habib, H. Mukari, S.Z., Martinez, N.V., Lin, H.C., and McPherson, B. 2007. Progress towards early detection services for infants with hearing loss in developing countries BMC Health Service Research 7:14.

Person responsible for most recent update:

Name: Dr. Pedro Berruecos

Affiliation: President of the Pan-American Society of Audiology (PASA), General Hospital in Mexico

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