A study conducted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) revealed that Mexico is the leading consumer of harmful health products in the Latin American region. According to Paulina Magaña, coordinator of the Food Health Area of El Poder del Consumidor, around 259 people die daily in the country due to poor nutrition, making chronic diseases associated with this issue one of the main causes of death.
The report also emphasized tobacco consumption, which causes approximately 63,233 premature deaths annually in Mexico. According to statistics shared by various organizations, over 196,000 individuals die each year in the country due to these products, vastly exceeding deaths from homicide.
Ana Larrañaga, a researcher from El Poder del Consumidor, warned about the negative impacts on health, equity, and the environment caused by unhealthy products and the practices of those who market them. She highlighted the direct influence of the "commercial determinants of health" on chronic diseases affecting the Mexican population, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
On the occasion of the Day of the Dead, various organizations, including El Poder del Consumidor, held a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Health to remember those who have died from the consumption of harmful products like tobacco, alcohol, ultra-processed products, and sugary drinks. During the protest, an alarming increase in the consumption of these products driven by commercial strategies was reported.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), non-communicable chronic diseases have been the leading cause of death in Mexico over the past decade, claiming the lives of over 4.2 million people. The consumption of ultra-processed products and sugary drinks has been identified as a key factor in the development of these diseases, responsible for approximately 22% of deaths from chronic diseases.
The call from organizations highlights the need to implement stricter public policies regarding tobacco control, following the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). In relation to alcohol consumption, the underestimation of its social and health effects in Mexico is emphasized, particularly regarding the deterioration of social fabric.
El Poder del Consumidor emphasized that the mass availability of points of sale for alcohol contributes to excessive consumption and its harmful consequences, including severe diseases such as lung cancer and cardiovascular problems.
