No Child or Mother Left Behind; Implications for the US from Cuba's Maternity Homes.

Background: Cuba, a "resource-poor" country, provides high-quality, free maternal care despite relatively low per capita health expenditures in comparison to similar expenditures in "resource rich" nations such as Canada and the US. This paper assesses maternal and child healthcare in Cuba, details the system of community-based regional maternity homes, and outlines specific recommendations for the US.

Methods: Based on observations during a visit to Cuba, and supplemental research on international health expenditures and health indicators such as infant and maternal mortality, this paper details maternal and child health in Cuba.