Loreto

The lack of attention to mental health issues for the residents of Loreto is of primary concern, since the high levels of violence and depression have placed the municipality first in the state for mortality related to suicides and homicides.  Other major health concerns in the region are respiratory illness (Loreto has the highest mortality rate due to TB in the state), gastrointestinal complications, teen pregnancies, the rising incidence of drug and alcohol addiction, and life-style related illnesses (such as cardiovascular illness and diabetes types 1 and 2 where Loreto has the highest mortality rate in the state[1]), with children and young people being the hardest-hit groups.  There is the need to improve the cleanliness of public areas, to encourage healthy dietary and exercise lifestyles, to implement drug rehabilitation and prevention programs, and to provide sexual health and contraceptive information to residents. 

The prevalence of health centers in the region is insufficient, and patients that require secondary level care must be transported to cities outside of the municipality, which can be very costly for the institutions as well as for family members.  The problem is even worse for rural communities, as the services that they do receive are administered by a mobile unit, which is supported by six volunteers who often do not have adequate training to handle emergency situations.  There has also been a recent increase in the number of suicides within the disabled community due to a lack of adequate mobility and rehabilitation equipment.

The municipality lacks a culture of prevention, which can be seen through the sparse attendance and community participation at awareness events, and in the general apathy toward vaccination campaigns for children and animals.  Nonprofit groups could work to fill this gap by helping to motivate members to resolve or avoid health problems.  Approaches could include the purchase of rehabilitation equipment for the disabled, acquisition of medical equipment (x-ray, dental, mobile medical units, etc.), investment programs to enable micro enterprises that provide employment for young people and the disabled, and overall programs aiming to help sensitize the community at large to the importance of their participation.