Strengthening Collaborations for Syndemics in Cuba (SCSCuba)

The long-standing collaboration between ITM, IPK and INHEM has enhanced the institutions’ capacity to improve population health by means of qualified professionals, and policy-relevant research. With internationally recognized expertise, both IPK and INHEM, acknowledge the ever-increasing complexity of the epidemiological situation in Cuba. Where widespread chronic conditions coincide with lingering infections, in environments that fail to promote health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the interconnectedness of environmental issues with the onset of infections of increased severity when affecting a highly vulnerable society burdened with chronic illness. This complexity is often called ‘syndemic’, referring to the overlap of epidemics in each setting that results in an exacerbation of the burden of disease. The SCSCuba is based on 3 pillars: technical platforms, policy-oriented research, and collaborative networks. Acknowledging this complexity, IPK and INHEM aim to strengthen their collaboration and synergistically enable institutional capacity to effectively address the current and future syndemics in Cuba [SCSCuba]. The programme is expected to generate sustainable strategies to drive the improvement in the management of syndemics and achieve better health for all Cubans.