Aerospace Medicine; a New Opportunity for Mexico
Diana Karen Hernández Araujo, an aerospace physician, predicts that Mexico will see growth in the aerospace medicine sector in the coming years, which could become a source of employment for many young Mexicans—something the federal government should keep in mind by investing to support the development of projects and prevent the brain drain.
The specialist explained that aerospace medicine is a branch of preventive and occupational medicine that studies the physical and psychological effects of the aeronautical and space environment on the human body.
The goal is to protect the health, safety, and performance of pilots, crews, and astronauts as they encounter extreme environments in the course of their work. “Through this branch of medicine, it is also possible to prevent transportation risks, promote telemedicine in remote areas, and maintain the country’s historic contribution to space missions,” added Hernandez Araujo.
Similarly, the doctor has pointed out that Mexico has a national agency that is currently undergoing a restructuring process with the aim of improving its work in the sciences related to this sector.
“We had various agreements with the Mexican Space Agency, which need to be revived; furthermore, it is essential that we not be dependent on what other countries do, but rather have a Mexican center so that we can develop our own projects,” she stated.
Unfortunately, in Mexico, only approximately 0.17% of GDP is invested in science and technology, a figure that falls far short of the 1% mandated by national law and recommended by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It is important to note the significant historical lag that Mexico faces, which is linked to a lack of specialized infrastructure, limited investment in space research, and a scarcity of formal academic programs—which are primarily confined to the military sphere, such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Navy.
He also highlighted the importance of promoting science outreach starting at the earliest stages of education. “In Mexico, we must invest in science outreach starting at the earliest stages of education, because it is the most important pillar for the State of Mexico and the country. Furthermore, there is a significant brain drain,” said Hernández Araujo.
