The fourth Cuban DOHaD Symposium held on April 21st, 2025, was  a remarkable event, bringing together 100 Cuban researchers and physicians to delve into various facets of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD).

One of the highlights of the symposium was the presentation of eight lectures by distinguished Cuban and Canadian physicians and researchers. Dr. Stephen Lye who is the head of the Alliance for Human Development at Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum  Research Institute in Toronto showcased innovative approaches to improve the healthcare outcomes in the country and presented an overview of the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) research studies. Dr. Yeneir Vera who is the leader of  the collaborative research initiative between the Alliance for Human Development and the Ministry of Health in Cuba: "Building Bridges to Better Health," provided valuable insights into the challenges and strategies in managing chronic diseases within the Cuban healthcare system and she explored the gaps of the population DOHaD research studies in low-middle income countries. Professor Cristiane Matte from Brazil and president of LA-DOHaD delivered a lecture on DOHaD and obesity which is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Health in Cuba.

Likewise, Dr. Lays Rodríguez Amador's insights as the Head of the Internal Medicine Department at "Hermanos Ameijeiras" General Hospital, and Dr. Jesús Barreto Penié's expertise as the Head of the Nutrition Department at the same hospital, likely enriched discussions on preventive healthcare and lifestyle interventions and presented the main results of the pilot study of the Cuban National Child Cohort Study (1973-2025). Lastly, Dr. Mercedes Esquivel who is the Head of the Growth and Human Development National group explored the influence of prenatal, perinatal and postnatal factors on the neurodevelopment of the Cuban adolescents.

Overall, the symposium not only facilitated the exchange of knowledge but also fostered potential collaborations and initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding and management of DOHaD-related issues in Cuba and beyond.