With Focus On Prevention, Cuban Health Care System Helps Residents Live As Long As Americans At Fraction Of Cost
The Atlantic: How Cubans Live as Long as Americans at a Tenth of the Cost
“…Cuba has long had a nearly identical life expectancy to the United States, despite widespread poverty. … All of this despite Cuba spending just $813 per person annually on health care compared with America’s $9,403. The difference comes back to the basic fact that in Cuba, health care is protected under the constitution as a fundamental human right. The U.S. protects unlimited firearms and freedom from quartering soldiers but does not guarantee health care. Instead we compromise, taking inefficient and expensive half-measures to rescue people in serious peril. … [Cuba’s success is] largely done … through an innovative approach to primary care…” (Hamblin, 11/29).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.