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About DAC-SP
Early Detection Blueprint
Case Studies
Grant Recipients
Resource Index
US Fellowship RFI
Contact
Cuba
Population ageing will significantly increase dementia rates globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where about 58% of cases are found, projected to rise to 68% by 2050. However, awareness and early diagnosis remain low in these regions. Early diagnosis facilitates prompt evaluation for reversible causes, improves management of coexisting conditions, informs treatment strategies, and identifies necessary social supports. This project aims to bolster early dementia diagnosis in Cuba by strengthening primary care services through brain health and dementia training.
The project combined a training initiative for primary care providers with the introduction of a tablet-based cognitive assessment tool called Brain Health Assessment (BHA). The training, conducted over two months, covered 10 modules and three research workshops, along with an onsite clinical training. Courses included education on aging disorders, dementia diagnosis and care, prevention science, social sciences, public health, ethics, and health economics and policy research. Trainees returned to their communities to initiate local memory consultation services and assist local authorities with resource allocation.
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The project “Advancing Dementia Diagnosis Preparedness in an LMIC Setting: Lessons from Cuba” was conducted by a multidisciplinary team who together have the expertise needed to execute the research strategy.
This team is divided into 3 scientific cores (Training, Implementation Sustainability, and Epidemiology, that correspond to the study aims.
Juan J. Llibre Rodriguez MD, PhD
Juan J. Llibre Rodriguez MD, PhD a Professor of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine at the Medical University of Havana, has coordinated the multidisciplinary team and drive the agenda for all committees, to ensure that milestones and timelines are met and to support tight collaborative communication between the cores and between the partner institutions
Cuba
Population ageing will significantly increase dementia rates globally, particularly in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), where about 58% of cases are found, projected to rise to 68% by 2050. However, awareness and early diagnosis remain low in these regions. Early diagnosis facilitates prompt evaluation for reversible causes, improves management of coexisting conditions, informs treatment strategies, and identifies necessary social supports. This project aims to bolster early dementia diagnosis in Cuba by strengthening primary care services through brain health and dementia training.
The project combined a training initiative for primary care providers with the introduction of a tablet-based cognitive assessment tool called Brain Health Assessment (BHA). The training, conducted over two months, covered 10 modules and three research workshops, along with an onsite clinical training. Courses included education on aging disorders, dementia diagnosis and care, prevention science, social sciences, public health, ethics, and health economics and policy research. Trainees returned to their communities to initiate local memory consultation services and assist local authorities with resource allocation.
Compared to the control group, providers in the intervention group showed significant improvements in confidence in conducting memory screenings and cognitive evaluations, as well as enhanced skills in interpreting diagnostic tests, selecting assessments, and understanding dementia criteria. Additionally, the intervention resulted in a 141% increase in primary care providers making cognitive diagnoses and referrals to memory specialists, alongside an 83% rise in the use of standardized cognitive assessments for annual evaluations. The prevalence of dementia across selected primary care clinics was 10.1%, with an increase from 1.9% to 4.6% in participating clinics according to medical registries.
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The project “Advancing Dementia Diagnosis Preparedness in an LMIC Setting: Lessons from Cuba” was conducted by a multidisciplinary team who together have the expertise needed to execute the research strategy.
This team is divided into 3 scientific cores (Training, Implementation Sustainability, and Epidemiology, that correspond to the study aims.
JLR
Juan J. Llibre Rodriguez MD, PhD
Juan J. Llibre Rodriguez MD, PhD a Professor of Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine at the Medical University of Havana, has coordinated the multidisciplinary team and drive the agenda for all committees, to ensure that milestones and timelines are met and to support tight collaborative communication between the cores and between the partner institutions
Manual:“Practical Guide for care of people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease inprimary health settings”. will be published by Editorial Manual Moderno nextNovember , and distributed 3000 copies to the Ministry of Public Health fordissemination throughout the country
