Preventable mortality in Mexico: bridging gaps in chronic disease and ageing care

Preventable mortality remains a critical public health challenge in Mexico, with 819 672 deaths recorded in 2024. Of these, 37.21% in the general population were attributed to ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and diabetes mellitus. We analyse Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía mortality data to assess disparities in cardiovascular mortality across age groups, sex and geographical regions, and to identify key gaps in Mexico’s preventive care strategies. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs) reveal persistently elevated cardiovascular mortality in northern states, including Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango and Nuevo León, and in southeastern states, including Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche and Yucatán. The burden is highly concentrated among older adults and geographically clustered in specific high-risk regions. These patterns reflect structural gaps in prevention, early detection and access to adequate care rather than unavoidable demographic change. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension form a pathophysiological triad that synergistically exacerbates cardiovascular disease through shared mechanisms and comorbidities. Despite substantial global declines in IHD mortality over the past two decades, Mexico continues to experience elevated and regionally extreme cardiovascular mortality, highlighting a failure to translate established global evidence into national practice. Drawing on evidence-based interventions implemented in comparable health systems, we propose seven scalable strategies: (1) expanding access to health services in underserved regions, (2) integrating preventive health programmes within primary care, (3) developing structured physical activity initiatives, (4) establishing a geriatric care framework, (5) promoting community-based nutrition and wellness programmes, (6) advancing gender-sensitive cardiovascular prevention across adulthood and ageing and (7) implementing school-based health education programmes. These interventions could substantially reduce cardiovascular mortality, lower healthcare costs and improve long-term population health outcomes in Mexico.