[Intercultural health: The life cycle stages in the Andes]

The most relevant theories and ideas about the life cycle in the Andes and their relationship with human development and health are presented. The life cycle is not an immutable phenomenon, the number of stages and its meaning is historically and culturally based. A comparative analysis with the theory of Freud and Erikson was made. It is concluded that the contribution of Andean culture focuses on: 1) Each stage of human development is associated with productive and reproductive processes of life in relation, as well as an adequate balance between rights and duties in life in society; 2) The couple is the basic social unit, and not the individual. It is a contribution to the design of health interventions with an intercultural approach.