5078.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 8:30 AM

Abstract #9211

Health and Healing in Cuba

Jayne E. Brechwald, MPH, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, 300 N. San Antonio Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110, 805 681-5365, jbrechw@co.santa-barbara.ca.us

In 1989, the WHO extolled Cuba's health care system as a "model for the world." Cuba, with its extensive system of family doctors and tertiary care facilities had achieved the highest quality of life indicator in Latin America, including an infant mortality rate on par with the developed world. But now, ten years later, the Cuban people are now facing dangerous shortages of medicines and medical supplies. Although some of the blame can be placed in the dissolution of the Soviet bloc countries and inefficiencies within Cuba, the fault lies with the US embargo. The problems most affected by the embargo are: malnutrition, water quality, medicines and equipment and medical information. Prevention, outreach, and community mobilization are the only weapons the Cuban people have to combat disease and to promote health. Though AIDS has hit the country hard, Cuba has set up an effective strategy for preventing the spread of diseases. Community outreach workers case manage, educate and use the government controlled media to get messages out. Sanitoriums are residential homes where medical treatment and other necessities of life are made available at no cost to those with AIDS. Free universal health care and education are the pillars of Castro's "communist regime". Disparity between races, and socio-economic status is nonexistent in Cuba. Having had the opportunity to visit Cuban hospitals, schools, universities, community based organizations and cultural events, I would like to compare and contrast health systems and cultures with my fellow public health professionals.

Learning Objectives: At the conculsion of the session, the participant will be ale to: 1. Identify at least three health problems most affected by the Cuba-US embargo. 2. List at least three outreach techniques used for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV/AIDS 3. Compare and contrast health care delivery in Cuba and the US

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Cuban health care delivery system. Disease prevention strategies in Cuba. Impact of the US-Cuban embargo on health status of the Cuban people
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA