The most reliable statistical indicator for a population's state of health is the U5MR (under five mortality rate) which generally matches the literary rate and the percentage of access to potable public water, two other parametres used by the WHO and UNESCO. Cuba has achieved, despite the US-imposed embargo, an enviable level of public health through a judicious mobilisation of its resources by the state. In contrast, in the US and other “laissez faire” liberal economies the private sector has shown its inability to provide universally affordable healthcare.
