Abstract

SUAREZ LASTRA, Manuel et al. An Index of Vulnerability to COVID-19 in Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2021, n.104, e60140.  Epub Sep 20, 2021. ISSN 2448-7279.  https://doi.org/10.14350/rig.60140.

We developed a municipal-level index of vulnerability to COVID-19 for Mexico. The index combines three dimensions of vulnerability: demography, health, and socio-economic conditions. Each dimension is, in turn, described by various indicators related to the type of vulnerability and exposure they reflect. By applying the index to the country’s 2 457 municipalities, we can examine the spatial distribution of both the factors that foster greater susceptibility to damage, and the adverse consequences for people. The resulting information facilitates science-based decision-making.

The vulnerability index values are categorized into four levels: Medium, High, Very High and Critical. A medium vulnerability level occurs mainly in large urban centers having the best healthcare infrastructure and the highest economic capacity; 63.2% of the population in Mexico live in medium vulnerability municipalities. A high vulnerability occurs in municipalities containing mid-sized urban areas, with a proportion of indigenous language speakers and a marginalization level slightly lower than the national average, and poor healthcare infrastructure; 17.6% of the population in Mexico live in these municipalities. A very high vulnerability is found in municipalities where 11.7% of the population lives. These municipalities contain small urban areas, have a marginalization level, and a proportion of indigenous language speakers above the national average, very poor healthcare infrastructure, greater overcrowding than in the first two categories, households with few communication means, and precarious economic production in. A critical vulnerability occurs in municipalities that concentrate 7.5% of the population in Mexico. These are primarily rural municipalities with a high proportion of people over 60 years old, a significant proportion of indigenous language speakers, critically insufficient healthcare services, a marginalization level well above the national average, the highest level of overcrowding, the lowest access to communication means, and a very precarious economy.

Based on these results, recommendations are made for measures that must be taken at the territorial level in order to mitigate the potential impact of COVID-19 on Mexican society.

Keywords : pandemic; COVID-19; exposure; vulnerability; municipalities; public policy.

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