The Nutrition and Health Transition of Democratic Costa Rica

Table of contents

Editors: Carlos Muñoz and Nevin S. Scrimshaw

(c) Copyright 1995 International Foundation for Developing Countries (INFDC). Boston, MA USA. All Rights Reserved.

ISBN number: 0-9635522-4-4

This project and its publication were supported by grants from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the United Nations University.

The digitalization of this publication was made possible by a grant from the Nestlé Foundation

Contents

Contributors to this volume

Introduction

1. Health policies and strategies

A brief description of Costa Rica
Public health development
The decade of the 1970s
The decade of the 1980s
Final reflections
References

2. Development of the social security institute

Background
Social security in Costa Rica
The extension of direct insurance
Extension of insurance to the family
The financial crisis
The constitutional amendment
Toward universalization
Development of human resources
The integration
The new health care models
Final comments

3. Development and characteristics of health and nutrition services for urban and rural communities of Costa Rica

Introduction
Background information on community outreach programs
Methodological characteristics of the Costa Rican health programs
Nutrition programs
Impact of the programs on the health of children living in rural areas
Conclusions
References
Bibliography

4. Evolution of an epidemiological profile

Introduction
Stages of a process
The first four decades of the century
The period between 1940 and 1970
The decade of the 1970s
The decade of the 1980s
The last decade of the century
Final comments
References

5. Socioeconomic factors for the understanding of health policy during the 1970s

Introduction
Recognition of social demands and the regulation of the conflict during the 1930s and 1940s
The social government in the new development strategy of Costa Rica during the 1950s and 1960s
The consolidated social government
Final reflections
Acknowledgement
References

6. Problems and challenges of the health sector during the 1980s

Introduction
Some problems of the health sector in the 1980s
Balance of the 1980s and perspectives for the 1990s in the health sector
References

Appendix 1 - Glossary

Appendix 2 - Supplementary reading list

English-language supplementary reading list
Spanish-language supplementary reading list
Supplementary reading list - INCAP publications

Appendix 3 - Health conditions in Costa Rica 1994

General information
Specific health problems