Jennifer Gunderman participates in American Public Health Association educational exchange program in Cuba

Jennifer Gunderman, MPH, assistant lecturer for the School of Community and Population Health, recently traveled to Cuba to participate in the American Public Health Association’s educational exchange program. 

As part of the program, Gunderman spent time in Havana and Cienfuego, Cuba to observe Cuba’s approach to health. She met with healthcare, public health and academic professionals to discuss how Cuba has achieved great success in health outcomes, including low infant and maternal mortality rates in spite of significant levels of poverty.

Efforts such as socialized medicine, free education of healthcare professionals, mindful planning of health initiatives, inter-professional collaboration among healthcare and public health providers, and community-level approach to health are considered contributing factors.