Mexico occupies 55 worldwide among countries with the worst air quality, according to the report World Air Quality Report 2024. The concentration of pollutants in national territory exceeds between three and five times the safe limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has begun to impact the family economy due to the increase in medical care costs for respiratory diseases during the last decade.
A recent study of the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) points out that, between 2013 and 2024, the price of therapies for the prevention and treatment of respiratory conditions increased more than 14%. The institution analyzed the evolution of the costs of five products and services used in the treatment of these conditions, based on the records of the National Consumer Price Index (INPC), collected in 46 cities of the country.
Banxico’s findings indicate that, during the study period, The prices of the antigripales rose 14.4%, while decongestants recorded a 12%increase. Medications for allergies and anti -inflammatories presented more moderate increases, 3% and 8.6%, respectively. On the other hand, specialized medical consultations were the only item that reported a slight reduction, of -1.6%, attributed to the increase in the supply and demand of the service, according to the Central Bank.
The report emphasizes that the impact of air pollution on medical care costs is limited and generalized, for now. However, he warns that in certain regions of the country the trend could be more significant.
“The Central-Norte region recorded the highest average pollution levels during the analyzed period. Colima stands out for having a higher average particle concentration suspended compared to other states, ”details the report.
In contrast, the southern region presents the lowest average levels of contamination by PM2.5 particles (polluting microparticles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less). Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and Tlaxcala stand out for registering the lower values of pollutants in the country.
The high cost of poor air quality
A previous study, published by Banxico in 2023, calculated that, for each 10% increase in the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the air, 203,807 additional cases of acute respiratory infections and about 2,000 more cases of pneumonia and bronchopneumonia are recorded annually.
“This, in turn, could affect productivity in the labor market due to absenteeisms, increase the use of public resources to meet these diseases and, in more serious cases, raise mortality rates,” says the document.
Air pollution in Mexico imposes a high economic cost and population health. After analyzing data from 34 cities between 2010 and 2013, the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) estimated that Productivity losses derived from poor air quality amount to 11.5 billion pesos annually, while health expenses reach 2,500 million pesos.
For its part, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) indicates that total costs for environmental degradation represented, on average, 4.8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) between 2011 and 2021. In 2022, pollutants in air generated an impact equivalent to 2.5% of GDP, which represents about 60% of all total costs due to environmental exhaustion and degradation (Ctada). In absolute terms, these environmental costs by emissions exceeded 5 billion constant bases base 2013.
The deterioration of air quality in Mexico not only affects the health of the population, but also imposes a significant financial burden on the country. The implementation of public policies aimed at reducing air pollution is crucial to mitigate these effects and improve the quality of life of citizens.
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