Objective:

To identify differential patterns and gaps in the global burden of disease in selected causes according to strata of living conditions.

Methods:

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out and the universe was constituted by the population of Cuba in the 2013-2015 periods. Specific rates of disease burden due to morbidity, mortality and global were calculated according to strata of living conditions and selected causes. The rates were adjusted by the direct and indirect method.

Results:

Malignant tumors and diabetes mellitus are the diseases for which more years are left to live with health in Cuba, followed by ischemic heart disease, showing an excess in the intermediate stratum the first two causes and excessive burden due to ischemic heart disease in the favorable stratum. The moderately favorable stratum showed an excess load in almost all causes.

Conclusions:

There was a differential pattern and gaps in the overall burden of disease in almost all causes, given by an excess of them in the moderately favorable stratum with respect to the other two strata.