Objective: to analyze avoidable mortality between 1998 and 2007 in the border states of Northern Mexico to evaluate, indirectly, the quality of the region's health care services. Methodology: the information on mortality provided by the National Health Information System (SINAIS) was analyzed. The unit of analysis was the basic cause of death. The cause was coded in accordance with the ICD-10.Avoidable mortality was classified according to Gomez's death causes catalog. Likewise, an exploratory analysis was conducted which focused on the relationship between avoidable mortality and eligibility and the socioeconomic level of the municipalities in which the deaths took place. Results:The global rate of avoidable mortality was of 350.2 deaths per 1000 inhabitants in the region. the rates of avoidable mortality by early diagnosis and medical treatment, violence, and HIV/AIDS were 223, 60 and 5 per 1000 inhabitants respectively. These causes of