Original version

BBC World Service Online

Health Check

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

Healthcheck

Health Check: 27/07/2011

27/07/2011

BBC World Service - Health Check, 27/07/2011

How is Costa Rica dealing with the health needs of its growing elderly population?

Costa Rica has the best life expectancy in the Americas, thanks to its universal basic health care. But now it has a growing ageing population that is taking many health resources to keep well

In 1948 Costa Rica abolished its army and put some of the money it saved into developing a network of primary health posts all over the central American country. 

Six decades later the country has a rapidly growing elderly population who now get free health care. 

But the country has a financial problem in that it can no longer afford its health service. 

Claudia Hammond travels to the capital, San Jose, where she meets the researchers who are finding out about the health needs of the over 60s and the doctors who are caring for these people, in the community and in hospitals. 

She also visits one of the few old peoples' homes in the country and talks to the residents about why they think Costa Ricans live so long.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Health Check

27/07/2011

Genres

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service