Abstract

LOPEZ, Flor  and  AGUILAR, Adrián Guillermo. Coverage and accessibility levels of health services in the metropolitan periphery of Mexico City. Invest. Geog [online]. 2004, n.53, pp.185-209. ISSN 2448-7279.

The aim of this study is two fold: first, to analyze the spatial distribution of health services that different public institutions offer in the metropolitan peripheral municipalities of Mexico City; and second, give some reasons that explain that distribution. The analysis tries to demonstrate a lack of territorial approach in the construction of the social policy in the particular case of the health sector. The spatial range of health service, coverage and accessibility in the eastern part of the State of Mexico was calculate through variables much as number of doctors, nurses, beds and medical center, that the different public institution particularly IMSS, ISSSTE and ISSEMYM, offer. Results tend to show an unequal distribution of health resources either human or material, as well as a territorial disorden in their distribution with a high concentration in urban areas. Thus, analysis shows that space plays a fundamental role as a structuring factor in the application of health policies and in the planning of such services.

Keywords : Health services; coverage; accessibility; metropolitan periphery; Mexico City; social policy.

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