Guerrero: Negative Trends in Health and Education

(Acapulco, AN 12 August) In three separate press reports on the same day, statistics were released to show the poor state of health and education in the State of Guerrero. Of the 32 states in the republic, Guerrero is number 22 in high school dropout rates, at 44%. This is about 11 points higher than the worst rate found for minority youths in the inner city of Los Angeles. According to health department numbers, Acapulco leads Guerrero in maternal mortality, and Guerrero is at the top of the national list for mothers dying in childbirth. At the same time, a third report was released showing that 70% of all citizens of Guerrero are overweight or obese. Obesity is the third cause of death in Mexico. Diabetes is first and hypertension is second. Three out of ten elementary school children are obese according to the study. The long term solution, of course, is education about adequate nutrition; however, the educational system is suffering deficiencies of its own.

Meanwhile, the state controller’s announced 22 administrative investigations of former officials from the Torreblanca government, mainly in the state departments of health and education, for mismanagement or embezzlement of public funds and other acts of corruption.