Mexican morbidity as a starting point for radiological planning.

A meeting was held in Mexico City in 1980 to discuss the situation of diagnostic radiology in Latin America. X-ray departments are part of the medical care system of each country, utilized mainly in diagnosis. There are various approaches to health care, some of which are political, but technology should be used for its own value only. Social needs must be defined and the availability and costs studied. Priorities must also be defined. 80% of the morbidity is related to socioeconomic factors. Resources cannot satisfy demand, but should be concentrated on the most common problems. This should be the beginning of an ongoing analysis searching for the solutions for diagnostic radiology in Latin America.