“Living conditions determine health conditions”. This reflection was the guiding principle of the regional conference on decision-making for health equity held on 29th and 30th June 2015 in Mexico City, organized by the cooperation programme of the European Union EUROsociAL. 

Organised with the support of Mexico's Secretary of Health and the European programme “Social Cohesion Laboratories”, under the auspices of the Pan American Health Organization, the conference brought together representatives from seven countries (Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay), in addition to Mexican institutions working on the intersectoral approach to health. For two days they shared experiences and reflections regarding strategies and tools that support decision-making to improve health equity, a priority for the countries of the region.

Addressing health equity means acting on its social determinants. Emphasis was placed on the need to create spaces for inter-agency coordination and social participation for this purpose. The role of academia in supporting the production of evidence used by public institutions was especially highlighted. The importance of social consensus for equity and the political will to implement the changes this involves was also stressed.

During the conference, the countries presented their policy progress, especially the implementation of health equity monitoring tools, which include information systems and observatories, as well as the creation of an inter-agency coordination commission. These tools are especially vital for improving the equity of public spending and having an impact on health equity.

The conference culminated with the signing of the “Health equity manifesto”, a roadmap that confirms the countries' commitment to health equity and lays the groundwork for further progress, at both the national and regional level.

All the documents about the conference