Cuban publishing on primary health care: an inexcusable absence

Primary health care (PHC) constitutes the fundamental pillar of Cuba's universal public health system. The doctor-and-nurse teams next door, community polyclinics, maternity homes, mental health centers, seniors' day centers-all form part of a network of over 12,000 facilities dedicated to resolving some 80% of population health problems, compared to under 200 facilities at other levels of care.[1] The people and institutions in PHC are on the front lines of health promotion and disease prevention. Their work is critical to the impressive population health indicators Cuba has managed to achieve, even in the toughest economic times. Others worldwide, especially in developing countries, could benefit from this experience. Cuba's own health system needs the scientific power represented by PHC research publishing potential, driving solutions to the country's main health problems-whether diseases, risk factors and unhealthy lifestyles, or inefficient services.