[Inequality and erroneous social policy produce inequity in México].

The different conceptualizations regarding equity and inequality in health are discussed, concluding that inequity and inequality are not synonyms. It is suggested that inequality should be used for describing epidemiological profiles and equity in relationship to the distribution of and gaining access to health attention services. The situation in México is reviewed in greater detail, as there is great socioeconomic polarisation in this country, a privatizing sanitary reform which has increased inequity and incomplete citizenry as the main obstacles for gaining a reduction in inequity in health.