Connecting science to population health: the "closed loop" approach.

Vaccination programs have been successful in Cuba, whatever metrics are used to evaluate them: the population is protected against 13 diseases, well beyond WHO goals; illnesses such as polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and others have been eradicated; and even hepatitis B is slated to disappear. How can these results be explained? Certainly strong political will, a society based on justice and solidarity, the concept of health and education as human rights, and a health system accessible to all, are paramount. Without these, no technology would make a difference.