Understanding the Cuban Health Paradox
Explore the reasons behind Cuba's exceptional health outcomes despite being a lower-income country compared to the US. Learn about Cuba's investments in healthcare, high vaccination rates, and government-influenced healthcare system. Consider the potential impact of liberal trade policies on Cuba's health and what sociologists Lenski and Marx might opine on this matter.
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Presentation Transcript
The Cuban Health Paradox Sociology Chapter 4: Society Society: The Basics Chapter 14: Education, Health, and Medicine
Cuba is a middle- income nation that is economically poor in relation to the United States $60,000 $50,000 $53,750 $40,000 In 2014, the economic output of the U.S. economy was $53,750 for every person in the country, a number that is almost three times higher than that for Cuba. $30,000 $20,000 $18,520 $10,000 $0 GNI per capita U.S. Cuba
85% but people there live longer than those in much richer countries 84.7% 83.6% 80% 75% Survival to Age 65 U.S. Cuba
8 and are much less likely to die in childhood. 7 7.2 Deaths per 1,000 Live Births 6 6.1 6.0 5 4.8 4 3 2 1 0 Infant Mortality Rate Under-5 Mortality Rate U.S. Cuba
Why is this poor country so healthy? 1.Cuba has invested heavily in primary care. 2.Cuba has an unusually high number of doctors. 3.Government uses central planning to ensure that all areas of the country have enough doctors. 4.Health care is government-financed, so nearly every Cuban has the same access to health care.
Why is this poor country so healthy? 5. Cuba has one of the highest childhood vaccination rates in the world. 6. Investments in public education, housing, and nutrition support good health. 7. Isolation and government restrictions inhibit brain drain to wealthier countries.
Discussion Questions What do you think will happen to the country s health as Cuba opens up to more liberal trade and immigration policies? Will the quality of health decline with an inevitable increase in inequality or will improved wealth bring more advanced medical technologies to help the country grow even healthier? What would Lenski say? What would Marx say?
