Mexico has many community health programs, which are carried out nationally within a health care system that is divided into many subsystems. All Mexicans are entitled to health care; the subsystem from which a family receives care is determined by their employment status. One of the health care subsystems in La Paz provides an example of how programs that focus on infants and children are implemented. Three of these programs are the promotion of breastfeeding, immunization of children, and oral rehydration therapy for children with dehydration from diarrhea. The Mexican health care system is in the process of dealing with some of the challenges it faces, but nurses and other health care professionals have developed effective methods of promoting children's health and reducing risks within the current system.
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