OBJECTIVE To analyze the conceptualization of the term governance on public mental health programs.METHODS In this systematic review, we analyzed the scientific literature published in the international scenario during 15 years (from 2000 to 2015). The databases analyzed were: Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed. Governance and mental health were the descriptors. We included relevant articles according to our subject of study and levels of analysis: (i) the concept of governance in mental health; (ii) process and decision spaces; (iii) strategic and pertinent actors who operate in the functioning of the health system, and (iv) social regulations. We excluded letters to the editor, news articles, comments and case reports, incomplete articles and articles whose approach did not include the object of study of this review.RESULTS We have found five conceptualizations of the term governance on mental health in the area of provision policies and service organization. The agents were both those who offer and those who receive the services: we identified several social norms.CONCLUSIONS The concept of governance in mental health includes standards of quality and attention centered on the patient, and incorporates the consumers of mental healthcare in the decision-making process.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to the functioning of societies and their health systems. Prior to the pandemic, health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) were particularly stretched and vulnerable. The International Society of Global Health (ISoGH) sought to systematically identify priorities for health research that would have the potential to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs. Methods The Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) method was used to identify COVID-19-related research priorities. All ISoGH members were invited to participate. Seventy-nine experts in clinical, translational, and population research contributed 192 research questions for consideration. Fifty-two experts then scored those questions based on five pre-defined criteria that were selected for this exercise: 1) feasibility and answerability; 2) potential for burden reduction; 3) potential for a paradigm shift; 4) potential for translation and implementation; and 5) impact on equity. Results Among the top 10 research priorities, research questions related to vaccination were prominent: health care system access barriers to equitable uptake of COVID-19 vaccination (ranked 1st), determinants of vaccine hesitancy (4th), development and evaluation of effective interventions to decrease vaccine hesitancy (5th), and vaccination impacts on vulnerable population/s (6th). Health care delivery questions also ranked highly, including: effective strategies to manage COVID-19 globally and in LMICs (2nd) and integrating health care for COVID-19 with other essential health services in LMICs (3rd). Additionally, the assessment of COVID-19 patients’ needs in rural areas of LMICs was ranked 7th, and studying the leading socioeconomic determinants and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs using multi-faceted approaches was ranked 8th. The remaining questions in the top 10 were: clarifying paediatric case-fatality rates (CFR) in LMICs and identifying effective strategies for community engagement against COVID-19 in different LMIC contexts. Interpretation Health policy and systems research to inform COVID-19 vaccine uptake and equitable access to care are urgently needed, especially for rural, vulnerable, and/or marginalised populations. This research should occur in parallel with studies that will identify approaches to minimise vaccine hesitancy and effectively integrate care for COVID-19 with other essential health services in LMICs. ISoGH calls on the funders of health research in LMICs to consider the urgency and priority of this research during the COVID-19 pandemic and support studies that could make a positive difference for the populations of LMICs.

Objetivo. Analizar las demandas de atención de los tras­tornos mentales graves (TMG) y factores asociados con la utilización de servicios en México. Material y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio analítico transversal en dos fases: la primera con una base de datos nacional de servicios disponibles y su utilización; la segunda, una muestra de regis­tros médicos de un hospital psiquiátrico. Resultados. La esquizofrenia es el TMG más prevalente; más de 50% de hos­pitalizados fueron hombres, con edad promedio 37 años. La utilización de servicios estuvo asociada con la edad (β=1.062; p=.000), ingreso familiar (β=1.000, p=.000) y no tener ocupa­ción (β=3.407; p=.000). La población con esquizofrenia tiene cuatro veces más la probabilidad de requerir estar exenta de pago (β=4.158; p=.000). Conclusiones. La población con TMG es más vulnerable por la discapacidad funcional y social asociada; requiere de intervenciones específicas de salud acompañadas de una política de protección financiera adaptada a sus necesidades de atención.

Background. The doubling time is the best indicator of the course of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the impact of policies and several sociodemographic factors on the COVID-19 doubling time in Mexico. Methods. A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out across March–August, 2020. Policies issued by each of the 32 Mexican states during each week of this period were classified according to the University of Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), and the doubling time of COVID-19 cases was calculated. Additionally, variables such as population size and density, poverty and mobility were included. A panel data model was applied to measure the effect of these variables on doubling time. Results. States with larger population sizes issued a larger number of policies. Delay in the issuance of policies was associated with accelerated propagation. The policy index (coefficient 0.60, p < 0.01) and the income per capita (coefficient 3.36, p < 0.01) had a positive effect on doubling time; by contrast, the population density (coefficient −0.012, p < 0.05), the mobility in parks (coefficient −1.10, p < 0.01) and the residential mobility (coefficient −4.14, p < 0.01) had a negative effect. Conclusions. Health policies had an effect on slowing the pandemic’s propagation, but population density and mobility played a fundamental role. Therefore, it is necessary to implement policies that consider these variables.

El objetivo fue identificar los costos de la atención para enfermedades de salud mental en el sistema de salud de México. Se trata de una investigación evaluativa de tipo transversal retrospectivo. Se seleccionaron como trazadores del problema dos de las principales demandas de salud mental en los últimos años: depresión y esquizofrenia. La incidencia acumulada anual se identificó a partir del reporte epidemiológico por tipo de institución para el periodo 2005-2013. El costo del manejo anual de caso promedio se determinó a partir de la técnica de instrumentación y consenso, identificando las funciones de producción, el tipo de insumos, los costos y cantidad de insumos requeridos, concentrados en la matriz de caso promedio. Finalmente, se aplicó un factor de ajuste econométrico para controlar efecto inflacionario para cada año del periodo de estudio. El costo promedio del manejo anual de un caso en dólares americanos para esquizofrenia fue de 2.216,00 y para depresión 2.456,00. Para todas las instituciones del sistema de salud se observan tendencias epidemiológicas y económicas crecientes y constantes. El costo total para ambas enfermedades para el último año del periodo (2013) fue de USD 39.081.234,00, USD 18.119.877,00 para esquizofrenia y USD 20.961.357,00 para depresión. El mayor impacto para ambas enfermedades está en las instituciones para población no asegurada (USD 24.852.321,00) vs. población asegurada (USD 12.891.977,00). El costo de satisfacer la demanda de servicios para ambas enfermedades difiere considerablemente entre las instituciones que se ocupan de la población asegurada vs. población no asegurada, siendo mayor el de las segundas. Los indicadores epidemiológicos y económicos de este estudio contribuyen a la generación de evidencias para tomar decisiones en el uso y asignación de recursos para los servicios de salud que demandarán ambas enfermedades en los próximos años.

This study facilitated understanding of governance in mental health. The level of influence of the actors directly affects the scope of governance indicators. Relevant data were obtained to improve policies in mental health care.

Background There are few studies on the impact of out-of-pocket mental health care expenditures and sociodemographic factors on the probability of Mexican households to incur catastrophic healthcare expenditures (CHE). Objective The goal of the present study was to estimate the incidence of CHE and its main determinants among the households of persons with mental disorders (MD) in Mexico. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted, including 387 households of persons with MD. The estimation of the CHE was obtained by the health expenditure distribution method. A Logistic Regression (LR) was used to identify the determinants of probability variation of CHE occurrence. Since we expected a proportion of CHE between 20% and 80%, we assume linearity in the probability function, therefore we additionally used an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model. Results In our sample, the incidence of CHE was 34.8%. The two mental illnesses most frequently associated with CHE were schizophrenia and hyperactive disorder (35.5% and 32.6% of CHE cases, respectively). The regression coefficients showed that for each unit (US$53.77) increase in income, the probability of CHE was reduced by 8.6%, while for each unit increase in hospitalization or medication expenditures, the probability of CHE increased by 12.9% or 19%, respectively. For each additional household member, the probability of CHE increased by 3%, and households with a male patient had a 7% greater probability of CHE. Conclusion Household income, household size, hospitalization and medication expenses, and sex of the patient were significant predictors of CHE for households caring for a person with MD.

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