Care for diabetes and kidney failure costs IMSS 80.7 billion pesos; sugary drinks cause 30% of new cases

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease care cost the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) 80.7 billion pesos during 2025, while three out of 10 new cases of type 2 diabetes in Mexico are related to the consumption of sugary drinks, warned the civil association El Poder del Consumidor. On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, commemorated on November 14, the non-governmental organization stated that the disease represents a growing burden on public finances, hospitals, and families, while soft drink companies make profits without bearing the health costs associated with the consumption of their products. According to the Report on the Financial Situation and Risks of the IMSS 2025-2026, the Mexican Social Security Institute allocated 44 billion pesos to the care of 4.1 million patients with diabetes, 13.5% more than the previous year, and another 36.7 billion pesos to chronic kidney disease, one of its main complications. El Poder del Consumidor calculates that the IMSS needs to reserve 31.168 billion pesos annually to deal with diabetes, but estimates that between 2026 and 2031 it will only be able to contribute an average of 1.86 billion pesos each year. The organization warned that around 800 IMSS beds remain occupied daily by patients hospitalized due to diabetes, a figure that rises to 2,250 when chronic kidney disease cases are included. Moreover, Mexico has the highest rate of hospitalizations for diabetes complications among the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), with 149 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to the organization's average of 93. Diabetes is the second leading cause of death in the country. During 2024 it caused 112,577 deaths and currently affects more than 14 million adults, of whom one in three is unaware they have the disease. The civil association highlighted that only one third of diagnosed people manage to keep their glucose levels under control, a situation that increases the risk of kidney failure, amputations, blindness, heart attacks, and strokes. A study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine in 2025 attributed around 30% of new type 2 diabetes cases in Mexico to the consumption of sugary drinks, the highest proportion among the 30 most populous countries in the world. "The industry sells, the health system hospitalizes, and families pay. Every bed occupied by a diabetes complication is a bill that soft drink companies leave to the public health system and the population," said Jorge Vargas, researcher for the Food Health campaign of El Poder del Consumidor. The organization questioned that despite the increase in the tax on sugary drinks, whose revenue reached 40.055 billion pesos between January and July 2026, 64% more than in the same period of the previous year, there is no mechanism to know how much of those resources is allocated to preventing and treating diabetes. Since January of this year, the tax increased to 3.08 pesos per liter for sugary drinks, and a fee of 1.50 pesos was established for drinks containing sweeteners. However, the non-governmental organization believes it should be raised to represent at least 20% of the sale price, equivalent to about seven pesos per liter. The director of El Poder del Consumidor, Alejandro Calvillo, argued that companies must assume the costs of the diseases related to their products. "Whoever causes the harm must pay the bill. That is how it has been done with the tobacco industry in the United States and Canada, and it is what is being discussed today in Brazil, where the State sued tobacco companies for the costs of care in the public health system," he asserted. He demanded that all the resources collected from the tax on sugary drinks be allocated to diabetes and kidney disease prevention and care programs, and that quarterly reports on their use also be published. Finally, he asked the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) to stop Coca-Cola's Christmas Caravans, considering that they use elements attractive to children for advertising purposes and violate the restrictions on the promotion of unhealthy products aimed at minors. You may be interested in: El Buen Fin: Profeco recommends comparing prices before buying; launches tool to identify discounts. IMSS-Bienestar will hire 19,314 health professionals; process will have two phases until February 2027. Homicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Mexico; Inegi reveals it surpasses lung and kidney diseases. Join our channel! EL UNIVERSAL is now on WhatsApp! From your mobile device, find out the most relevant news of the day, opinion articles, entertainment, trends, and more. dft