Healthcare in Costa Rica

This course provides US students with a comprehensive introduction to the Costa Rican health system and its role in shaping the country’s social, demographic, and human development outcomes.Through an interdisciplinary perspective, the course examines the structure of the national health system, its guiding principles, and the policies that have contributed to Costa Rica’s recognized achievements in public health and well-being. Students explore the organization of health services across levels of care, the evolution and impact of primary health care and community-based models, and the financial and governance mechanisms that sustain universal health coverage. The course also analyzes contemporary challenges such as demographic change, non-communicable diseases, territorial disparities, and the need for innovation in digital and community-integrated care.A distinctive component focuses on the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world’s recognized Blue Zones, using it as a case study to understand how environmental, cultural, and policy factors can influence healthy longevity and community wellness.By the end of the course, students will be able to interpret the Costa Rican health model within broader global debates, compare it with their own national systems, and identify transferable lessons for international health policy, system design, and community-based care.