Can USC researchers solve an aging issue in Cuba?

A plummeting birthrate and scarcity of resources have left Cuba facing a demographic dilemma.

Within a few decades, experts predict that more than 40 percent of the Cuban population will be older than 60, according to a New York Times story, which noted that young couples are increasingly reluctant to have children, given the average monthly salary of $20. The resulting strain on Cuba’s health care system, not to mention the growing burden on families and communities, is daunting.

But thanks to a slight thawing of the icy relationship between the United States and Cuba under the Obama administration, researchers from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work might be able to share some solutions.

“They are very receptive to our work,” said Maria Aranda, an associate professor who holds a joint appointment with the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. “They understand the demographic shift and their need for programs that leverage the health care and social sectors. Because we have experience working with Spanish-speaking communities and families, we have the needed expertise to be able to mount these programs in Cuba.”

New models tested

An expert in the interplay among chronic illness, social support and psychological well-being in low-income minority populations, Aranda has been testing several new models designed to support older adults and their family members. Cuban officials learned about her work and reached out to discuss the potential for collaboration.

During a recent conference in Havana, Aranda and other leading experts in aging from USC and the University of California, Davis discussed those evidence-based programs and other models that could be replicated in Cuba.

“As a result of our participation in this international scientific meeting, we ignited a tremendous amount of interest in geriatric mental health and family caregiving,” she said. “The Cuban government has asked about three separate programs I have tested or am testing now.”

Those models focus on reducing depression among Spanish-speaking Latinos with medical conditions, increasing the ability of older Latinos to manage their health care and chronic diseases and improving the well-being of family members who provide informal care to a loved one with an injury, illness or disability.

“They are very interested in the models of intervention we are developing, especially the more complex self-management care models,” said Provost Professor William Vega, who also serves as the Cleofas and Victor Ramirez Professor of Practice, Policy, Research and Advocacy for the Latino Population and executive director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging. “On the health side, they are trying to be progressive and take the best ideas they can get from the developed world.”

A unique context

Cuba is ahead of the curve in Latin America in terms of its increasingly aging population. Many other countries in the region are just starting to experience the consequences of lower birth rates, whereas these demographic changes have been accelerating in Cuba for decades now.

Vega attributed the island’s unique demographic issues to a lack of resources linked to both the U.S. embargo and political inflexibility.

Aging places a greater burden on the health care system and families.

William Vega

“Aging places a greater burden on the health care system and families,” he said. “In the past, families had to do it all, but they are having a difficult time because they just don’t have the resources and space. They certainly don’t have facilities for aging people.”

However, loosening governmental restrictions have led to an influx of tourists and outside investment, Vega said. If that kind of development continues, Cuba might have the resources needed to expand social and health programs in the community.

Two-way street

Cuba is already a leader in Latin America in terms of community-based medicine, pharmacology and physician training, and the USC team is eager to point out that any collaboration will be mutually beneficial.

“I’m looking forward to understanding what parts of their social programs are working well and perhaps that can inform the development and delivery of social programs for older people here,” Aranda said.

“Sharing ideas with us for our low-income communities is critical,” Vega added. “We have no real answers right now. We have a really fragmented system and nothing coming out of the federal government in terms of models or financing to deal with this.”

To encourage further interaction, Vega and Aranda extended an invitation to Cuban health officials to attend a conference at USC in September on aging in the Americas. They are also waiting for clearance from Cuban leaders to conduct trainings and share materials related to evidence-based support models for older Latino adults.

Political uncertainty

Looming over these discussions is the unpredictable political atmosphere in both Cuba and the United States, Vega acknowledged, especially given the contentious approach of the Trump administration toward Latin America. However, he expressed hope that the relationship between the two countries will continue to improve, allowing scientific partnerships to move forward.

“At this point, it is a question of the stability of the situation and what kind of aperture we have for continuing to work in Cuba,” Vega said. “This is a pregnant moment right now.”

If initial efforts to exchange knowledge are successful, Aranda said she is also interested in designing a research component to test the effectiveness of various interventions in Cuba.

“We do understand there should be cultural, linguistic and political adaptation of these programs,” she said. “I’m curious how Cuban culture can shape and improve these models.”