Primary Health Care in Cuba

Linda M. Whiteford is professor of medical anthropology and associate vice president for academic affairs and strategic initiatives at the University of South Florida. She has also served as president of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Laurence G. Branch is professor of social psychology for the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida.

Linda M. Whiteford and Laurence G. Branch have produced an important, detailed, and historically grounded analysis of 'Cuba's jewel'—the community-based primary health care system. They examine its evolution, structure, and effectiveness in addressing public health issues, as well as specific medical needs related to child and maternal health, control of infectious diseases, and treatment of chronic health problems. The key lessons that the authors distill from this timely case study are both relevant and applicable to health care systems in other countries, including the United States. The subject matter and straightforward prose ensure that this book will be an invaluable tool for policy makers, public health and biomedical professionals, social scientists, and well-suited for widespread classroom use.

• Chapter 1 The Cuban Health Care RevolutionChapter 2 An Overview of the Cuban Primary Health Care Model Between 1959 - 2000Chapter 3 Alma Ata and the Concept of 'Primary Health Care'Chapter 4 The Cuban Primary Health Care Model for Child/Maternal CareChapter 5 The Cuban Experience with Controlling Infectious and Communicable Diseases Through Primary Health CareChapter 6 Chronic Diseases in CubaChapter 7 Recasting the 'Public' in Public Health: Assessing the Cuban ExperienceChapter 8 Lessons Learned from Cuba's Primary Health Care Model