ABSTRACT
Se consideran a través de la situación de salud, las características de la Salud Pública en América Latina y el Caribe, su evolución y los hechos que justifican los procesos de reforma del sector, sus fuentes teóricas, la forma en que se desarrollan, y los problemas que enfrentan. Se describen las características esenciales de Colombia, Chile, México, Venezuela y se particulariza en el modelo cubano. Se realiza una reflexión final respecto a la contradictoria situación prevaleciente y se analiza su contexto político.
The characteristics of Public Health in Latin America and the Caribbean through the present health state of the region is considered. The evolution of these characteristics and the facts that justify the processes of reformation of the sector, as well as their theoretical sources ; the form in which they are developed, and the problems they face are also regarded. The essential characteristics of Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Venezuela and particularly those of the Cuban model are described. A final reflection regarding the contradictory prevalent situation and its political context is made.