Intercultural health as a complement to western medicine in México

The objective of this paper is to analyze the factors that have caused the lack of complementarity between traditional and western medicine, to help enrich and encourage interaction and understanding between these two important areas of medical knowledge. A bibliographical and documentary review was carried out on aspects of intercultural health in general and in particular in Mexico. Intercultural health is the result of the complementarity of the western and traditional millenary health system of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples and communities. Greater interaction between Western and indigenous medicine is required and some of the factors that hinder complementarity are communication, recognition of linguistic diversity and the lack of training of health professionals who influence health care in these marginalized communities. The interaction between these two important areas of medical knowledge in Mexico must continue to be encouraged.