The Social Medicine Portal

Opportunity to do Community Health Research in Cuba: December 2008

Earlier this week we received the following announcement from MEDICC which we are reproducing with their permission. Opportunities to visit Cuba and do research are very limited:

MEDICC is contacting community health professionals to announce an exciting opportunity for research on Cuba’s primary care health system, December 7 - 14, 2008.

MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba) supports US health professionals undertaking field research in Cuba by providing background materials, guidance on research objectives, and opportunities for publication of research findings. Please see our on-line publications athttp://www.medicc.org.

Over the past several decades, community clinics in the US have mobilized to confront issues of growing disparity and lack of access to health care - all in the face of enormous challenges.

Cuba’s health outcomes often resonate with those in the United States working to find innovative approaches to health problems in medically underserved communities. Despite high levels of poverty, health indicators in Cuba are on par with industrialized countries, including the U.S. Particularly noteworthy are Cuba’s emphasis on community-oriented primary care, the integration of clinical medicine and public health, preventive medicine and effective use of limited resources (see attached article).

The research program in Cuba will be tailored to participants’ interests, and will include meeting with Cuban colleagues and community health leaders, as well as field research on Cuba’s functioning models of primary care, including:

• Polyclinics (the centerpiece of the community-based system)
• Family doctor-nurse offices (or consultorios)
• Community mental health clinics
• Maternity Homes (for high risk pregnancies)
• Community organizations such as the sanitary brigades and the Federation of Cuban Women
• Health programs for the elderly (circulo de abuelos)

Full time health professionals conducting research in Cuba are allowed to do so under the US Treasury’s general license for professional research (see attached). Marazul Charters, an agency licensed to provide travel arrangements to Cuba, organizes the program and books travel. Costs usually range from $2600-$2800 for a week, including airfare from Miami or Cancun. MEDICC serves as an academic consultant for the actual research program and in some cases may be able to provide partial fellowships.

If you are interested in participating in this December 7 - 14 opportunity or would like further information, please let us know by July 2 by writing to admin1@mediccatlatna.org. We will then contact you to discuss your research interests. You can also contact Marazul Charters directly at 1-800 223-5334 ext. 16 for further information on traveling to Cuba on the US Treasury’s general license for professional research. Also, please let us know of any colleagues affiliated with community clinics whom you think might be interested in this opportunity and we will contact them. We look forward to hearing from you.

posted by: Matt Anderson