Youth, Poverty and Exclusion : Health problems of young Mayans in Yucatan

This article presents results of research undertaken to identify and assess institutional programs and public policies addressing the health issues of young people of Mayan origin in the Yucatan. We found several, uncoordinated efforts focused at counseling (primarily urban) youth on contraception, rather than programs addressing healthy sexuality. The absence of any public policies regarding youth health represents a failure at various government levels. This failure impacts most severely on Mayan youth living in conditions of poverty and marginalization and is reflected in every aspect of their health, education, and working conditions.