Dr. Jaime Sepulveda MD,MPH,MSc,DrSc, Executive Director of the Global Health Sciences Department at the University of California, San Francisco presented at USC’s Institute of Global Health. His presentation focused on Mexico’s progress towards reducing premature mortality.
As the Health Minister of Mexico, Dr.Sepulveda designed Mexico’s universal vaccination program, which radically improved children’s immunization coverage in only two years. The program resulted in the country’s effective eradication of measles, polio, and diphtheria.
Mexico has made significant progress in the life expectancy of its citizens; In 1912 life expectancy averaged about 30 years of age and now it has increased to about 80 years of age. Now, non-communicable diseases are threatening to stall the progress that has been achieved. Mexico must address this new threat and its complexities to persist in its efforts to reduce premature mortality. A promising new development is Mexico’s recent sugar tax which aims to reduce Mexico’s high obesity and diabetes rates. In order to continue Mexico’s effort to reduce premature mortality Dr. Sepulveda recommends: The continuation of infectious disease control; the reduction of risk factors associated with chronic disease and injuries; and the implementation of more aggressive ear-marked taxes to prevent chronic diseases.