Health is viewed as a sense of well-being, freedom from discomfort, and a robust appearance. Traditionally, many Cubans believe that moderate obesity indicates good health and thinness indicates poor health. Meat is a valued part of the Cuban diet. Infants and children are often comforted with food and plump infants are viewed as healthy. While biomedical or allopathic medical practices are widespread in Cuba and germ theory is accepted and understood by most Cubans, traditional and other theories of illness causality are also incorporated in health beliefs and practices.
Stress is thought to cause a variety of physical and mental health problems.
Among people who understand germ theory, imbalance may still be seen as the reason why some people become ill from microorganisms and some do not. Amulets may be worn as protection against supernatural harm. Children, pregnant women, and postnatal women are thought to be especially vulnerable to supernaturally influenced health problems. Home visits by nurses and in some cases, physicians are common in Cuba. According to the WHO, Cubans have a DALE of 68.4 years, ranking 33rd among 191 nations.