AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care Risk: Costa Rica’s public system relies on a single brachytherapy machine at Hospital México for cervical cancer treatment, and internal auditors warn that any breakdown, maintenance issue, or supply shortage could halt care nationwide—after a prior machine failure in 2021 forced some patients to seek treatment abroad. Wildlife Health Mystery: Sick pelicans keep washing up on Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches since late June; SENASA tested 121 samples from 59 birds for avian influenza and Newcastle disease with negative results so far, and the investigation is expanding beyond viruses. Conservation & Ecosystem Health: Osa Conservation moved 13 white-lipped peccaries to Piedras Blancas National Park to restore a threatened species after hunters wiped it out about 18 years ago, with ongoing plans to curb poaching and add more animals this year. Climate & Water Stress: A PBS report highlights Costa Rica’s Monteverde cloud forest “dying of thirst,” with scientists finding epiphytes are losing moisture capture as cloud conditions shift. Health & Wellness Travel: Small Luxury Hotels of the World added seven properties to its Wellbeing Collection, including a new Costa Rica venue focused on nourishing cuisine, yoga, and sound healing.

Public Health Watch: SENASA is investigating sick pelicans washing up along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast since late June; lab testing so far has ruled out avian influenza and Newcastle disease, but officials say the cause is still unclear and the probe is expanding to clinical exams, tissue studies, and necropsies. Cancer Care Risk: Costa Rica’s CCSS internal auditors warn brachytherapy for cervical cancer depends on a single machine at Hospital México, meaning breakdowns or supply issues could disrupt treatment nationwide; a previous failure in 2021 forced some patients to seek care abroad. Immigration & Access to Care: Starting Sept. 1, DGME will launch a Special Temporary Complementary Category (CETC) for certain pending refugee applicants from Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia, requiring proof of ties to Costa Rica including CCSS healthcare coverage. Wellbeing & Lifestyle: A new study tests Nicoya’s blue-zone longevity using DNA methylation “epigenetic clocks,” while a separate travel wellness trend piece highlights how Costa Rica’s routines and food culture support healthier living. Tourism Economy: Costa Rica is seeing record tourist arrivals, but hotels and restaurants report weaker performance as a strong colón reduces the value of dollars earned.

Cancer Care Access: Costa Rica’s CCSS warns that brachytherapy for cervical cancer depends on a single machine at Hospital México—if it fails or supplies run short, treatment across the public system could be interrupted. Immigration & Health Coverage: Starting Sept. 1, DGME will open a Special Temporary Complementary Category (CETC) for certain Nicaraguan, Cuban, Venezuelan, and Colombian applicants to regularize status, including work pathways, with requirements such as proof of CCSS healthcare coverage. Public Health Risk: A new report highlights Mesoamerican nephropathy as a growing kidney disease crisis affecting people along the Pacific coast of Central America, including Costa Rica, with suspected links to heat and agrochemicals. Wellness Tourism: Small Luxury Hotels of the World adds seven properties to its Wellbeing Collection, including The Retreat Costa Rica, expanding “wellbeing beyond the spa” stays. Digital Health & AI: Costa Rica signs an alliance with Google to bring AI into education, health, and security. Health & Safety at Sea: A Glendale veteran’s Costa Rica beach trip turned into acute renal failure after a delayed medical response.

Cancer Care Risk: Costa Rica’s CCSS says brachytherapy for cervical cancer depends on a single machine at Hospital México, meaning breakdowns or supply issues could halt treatment nationwide. Kidney Health Alert: A U.S. traveler reports acute renal failure after being swept away by a Costa Rica tide, with delayed medical care linked to the worsening condition. Blue Zone Research: A new preprint tests Nicoya’s longevity using DNA methylation “aging” models, suggesting the story may be more complex than simple longevity claims. Wellness Tourism Push: Small Luxury Hotels of the World added seven properties to its Wellbeing Collection, including The Retreat Costa Rica, highlighting wellness beyond the spa. Tourism Economy Watch: Tourism is setting records, but hotels and restaurants are losing ground as the strong colón reduces the value of dollar earnings. Digital Health & Tech: Costa Rica signs an alliance with Google to bring AI into education, health, and security. Public Health Systems: CCSS strengthens epidemiological surveillance and drinking water controls. Active Travel Trend: A new wave of luxury all-inclusive and adventure-focused stays keeps wellness and movement front and center.

Cancer Care Risk: Costa Rica’s CCSS says brachytherapy for cervical cancer depends on a single machine at Hospital México, raising fears that breakdowns, maintenance issues, or supply problems could halt treatment nationwide. Public Health Systems: The CCSS internal audit warns the last failure in 2021 forced patients to seek care abroad, increasing costs and delays. Tourism & Health Economy: Tourism is hitting record arrivals and foreign currency, but hotels and restaurants are losing ground as the colón strengthens against the dollar, squeezing earnings that must cover local costs. Kidney Health Alert: A Costa Rica beach incident is linked to a U.S. veteran’s acute renal failure after delayed medical care, highlighting how quickly severe illness can escalate after water exposure. Community Wellness & Longevity: A new “Wellness Pura Vida” push promotes reconnection and longevity tourism, while a pocket-forest planting in Curridabat aims to boost urban nature and local wellbeing.

Cancer Care Risk: Costa Rica’s public system relies on a single brachytherapy machine at Hospital México for cervical cancer treatment, and internal CCSS auditors warn a breakdown or supply/infrastructure issue could halt care nationwide. Tourism & Health Economy: Costa Rica is hitting tourism record numbers, but hotels and restaurants are losing ground as the strong colón shrinks the value of dollar earnings, slowing food service and lodging growth. Digital Health Push: The Fernández administration signed a Google collaboration to bring AI into education, health, and security as part of its digital transformation plan. Water & Heat Safety: A new report highlights heat stress as a growing occupational health challenge in Costa Rica, underscoring the need for workplace protections. Public Health Tech: Costa Rica is also backing regional 5G innovation efforts via a Central American 5G hackathon aimed at building practical digital tools for public services. Kidney Health Alert: A Costa Rica beach trip story describes a veteran swept away by a tide who later developed acute renal failure, raising questions about emergency response and follow-up care.

AI for public services: Costa Rica signed a collaboration with Google to bring technology and artificial intelligence into education, health, and security as part of the government’s digital transformation push. Pocket forest push: Volunteers are planting “Bosque Tacaco” in Curridabat, a dense urban pocket forest using native species and the Miyawaki method to boost habitat in built-up areas. Digital health & connectivity: A Central American 5G Innovation Hackathon is set to use Costa Rica’s 5G Testbed to spur regional prototypes for social and public-sector use. Health system spotlight: A pharmacist’s perspective on antimicrobial stewardship highlights how Costa Rica is part of a wider effort to improve appropriate antibiotic use and slow resistance. Wellness tourism trend: JW Marriott Costa Elena in Guanacaste is opening as a luxury all-inclusive, reflecting growing demand for high-end prepaid stays. Local health research: A Costa Rica study examines how water-resistant sunscreen affects body heat—relevant for hot, outdoor days. Banana sector branding: “Banano de Costa Rica” shows how a geographical indication tied to CORBANA supports research, innovation, and global market value.

Consent & Tissue Donation Fallout: An Ohio mother, Andrea Mauk, says her 18-year-old son’s body parts were removed and shipped for “anatomical gifts” without her consent while she was in Costa Rica; she also alleges the hospital never contacted her despite her being listed as primary contact. Digital Health & AI Push: Costa Rica signed a collaboration with Google to bring AI and technology into public services, including education, health, and security, as part of the new administration’s digital transformation. Urban Nature for Health: Curridabat’s Bosque Tacaco pocket forest will plant 1,540 native species in a small area using the Miyawaki method, aiming to boost local biodiversity and create habitat in dense neighborhoods. Health Workforce & Water Safety: Health authorities strengthened epidemiological surveillance and drinking water controls, signaling a focus on prevention and safer community health systems. Wellness Tourism Spotlight: A Four Seasons “Wellness Villa” in Peninsula Papagayo highlights high-end wellness services, reflecting Costa Rica’s growing wellness travel pull. Animal Welfare Watch: Florida’s Orange County Sheriff cleared Sloth World of criminal neglect in a case tied to 57 sloth deaths, but experts say the findings point to major gaps in animal welfare rules.

Water & Flood Safety: Costa Rica’s health authorities ramped up preventive actions after recent rainfall, focusing on drinking-water quality checks in affected communities and shelters, tighter epidemiological surveillance (including leptospirosis risk), sanitation inspections, and coordination with municipal emergency committees and CNE. Digital Health & AI: Costa Rica signed a collaboration agreement with Google to bring AI and tech tools into education, health, and security as part of the government’s digital transformation push. Urban Nature for Wellness: Curridabat’s Bosque Tacaco is planting a pocket forest with 1,540 native plants across a small site, aiming to boost local biodiversity and create a greener, healthier urban space. Pensions & Public Programs: President Laura Fernández presented eight bills after her first 100 days, including proposals that could expand basic pensions and adjust how certain public spending oversight works—though none take effect yet. Animal Health Watch: A Florida report cleared “no criminal act” in the deaths of dozens of sloths tied to Sloth World, pointing to a multifactorial health incident rather than improper care. Consent & Tissue Donation: An Ohio mother says her son’s body parts were removed and shipped for “anatomical gifts” without her consent while she was in Costa Rica, renewing attention on donor-family notification and consent rules.

Digital Health & AI: Costa Rica signed a collaboration with Google to bring AI into education, health, and security as part of the government’s digital transformation push. Public Health After Flooding: Health authorities stepped up drinking-water monitoring, epidemiological surveillance (including leptospirosis risk), and shelter sanitation checks as schools stayed closed and people remained in temporary housing. Medical Tourism (Dental): Five dental clinic groups earned a new certification aimed at foreign patients, signaling Costa Rica’s push to grow higher-spending medical travel—where dental is the biggest draw. Workplace Safety: A new focus on heat stress highlights risks for both outdoor workers and hot indoor workplaces, with prevention rules and employer obligations. Food Security: A UN report says hunger in Latin America fell for a fifth straight year, with the Dominican Republic the last country to reach “zero hunger.” Animal Health & Welfare: U.S. investigators cleared “Sloth World” of criminal neglect in the deaths of dozens of sloths, pointing to a multifactorial health incident rather than intentional wrongdoing. Health Tech & Research: A Central American 5G Innovation Hackathon will use Costa Rica’s 5G testbed to develop prototypes for digital tools across the region.

AI in Public Services: Costa Rica signed a collaboration agreement with Google to bring technology and artificial intelligence into education, health, and security as part of the new administration’s digital transformation push. Health Emergency Readiness: After recent rainfall and flood impacts, Costa Rica’s health authorities stepped up drinking-water monitoring, epidemiological surveillance (including leptospirosis risk), sanitation checks in shelters, and coordination with municipal emergency committees and the CNE. Medical Tourism Push: Five dental clinic groups received a new certification aimed at foreign patients, highlighting Costa Rica’s drive to grow higher-spending international care—especially from the U.S.—with requirements around bilingual staff, safety protocols, logistics, and follow-up. Workplace Safety: Heat stress is flagged as a major occupational health risk across Costa Rica, with reminders of existing employer obligations and prevention measures for both outdoor and hot indoor workplaces. Regional Public Health Governance: Chile joined PAHO’s RedFESP network on Essential Public Health Functions, with Costa Rica among participants sharing how countries institutionalize EPHFs. Food Security Context: A UN report says hunger in Latin America fell for a fifth straight year, with the Dominican Republic the last country to reach “zero hunger.” Animal Welfare Oversight: Separate from Costa Rica, U.S. investigators cleared a sloth attraction of criminal neglect, citing a multifactorial health incident—renewing calls for stronger animal welfare rules.

AI for public services: Costa Rica signed a collaboration agreement with Google to bring AI tools into education, health, and security as part of the government’s digital transformation push. Health emergency readiness: After Tropical Wave #33, health authorities stepped up drinking-water monitoring and epidemiological surveillance, focusing on flood-related risks like leptospirosis and sanitation in shelters. Dental tourism push: Five dental clinic groups received a new certification aimed at foreign patients, signaling Costa Rica’s push to grow medical tourism revenue—where dental is the biggest draw. Workplace safety: Costa Rica highlighted heat stress as a major occupational health risk, including indoor settings, and pointed to existing rules for employer prevention and worker protection. Urban nature for wellbeing: Curridabat’s Bosque Tacaco pocket forest will plant 1,540 native species in a tiny area to boost local biodiversity and create a greener micro-habitat. Food security cooperation: A U.S. delegation met IICA leadership to coordinate on food security, nutrition, agricultural trade, and transboundary disease response across the Americas.

AI in Public Services: Costa Rica signed a collaboration agreement with Google to bring AI tools into education, health, and security as part of the government’s digital transformation push. Food Security & Health Systems: A U.S. delegation met IICA leadership to discuss food security, nutrition, agricultural trade, emergency response, and transboundary diseases affecting agriculture across the Americas. Climate Policy Context: A new look at the Paris Agreement’s second decade highlights real progress alongside rising geopolitical strain and growing emissions pressures. Water & Disease Prevention: Health authorities stepped up drinking-water monitoring and epidemiological surveillance after heavy rains, focusing on flood-related risks like leptospirosis and sanitation in temporary shelters. Workplace Safety: Costa Rica is treating heat stress as a major occupational health issue, with prevention rules aimed at reducing heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dental Tourism Boost: Costa Rica expanded dental tourism with a new certification for clinics targeting foreign patients, citing strong demand and high spending from North American visitors. Wellness Tourism Spotlight: A luxury Four Seasons “wellness villa” in Costa Rica markets science-backed recovery and personalized health programming.

Medical Tourism Push: Costa Rica’s dental clinics roll out a new certification aimed at foreign patients, with requirements on bilingual staff, safety protocols, logistics, and follow-up—part of a bid to grow a market where dental care drives a big share of international spending. Flood & Water Safety: After Tropical Wave #33, Costa Rica keeps 473 schools closed and 1,300 people in shelters, while health authorities intensify drinking-water monitoring and flood-related disease surveillance, including leptospirosis risk. Workplace Heat Risk: Health and safety guidance highlights heat stress as a year-round occupational threat in Costa Rica, affecting both outdoor labor and hot indoor workplaces, with prevention duties tied to risk levels. Public Health Governance: PAHO reports Chile joining RedFESP, a regional network that supports countries—including Costa Rica—in strengthening essential public health functions. Animal Welfare Watch: Florida’s Orange County Sheriff says no criminal act caused 57 sloth deaths tied to Sloth World, pointing to a multifactorial health incident and raising calls for stronger welfare rules.

Nursing Strike Disrupts Care at Hospital México: About 180 nurses walked off the job after talks with the CCSS ended without agreement, hitting inpatient wards and leaving coverage short, with the union citing staffing gaps and scheduling/pay concerns. Flood Aftermath Health Response: Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health is stepping up water-quality monitoring and epidemiological surveillance after Tropical Wave #33, with 473 schools still closed and people in shelters as teams check sanitation and vector control. Heat Stress at Work: Health authorities highlight heat stress as a year-round occupational risk in Costa Rica, affecting both outdoor labor and hot indoor workplaces, with prevention rules focused on employer duties and risk levels. Dental Tourism Push: Five dental clinic groups received a new certification for treating international patients, as Costa Rica targets higher-spending medical tourists—especially from the U.S. Wellness Pura Vida Strategy: Costa Rica is promoting a national “Wellness Pura Vida” plan linking nature reconnection, mental health support, and active longevity to attract longevity-focused travelers. Animal Welfare Probe Update (Sloth World): A U.S. investigation found no criminal act linked to 57 sloth deaths, pointing instead to a multifactorial health incident amid serious welfare and facility readiness problems. Legal/Access to Care: Costa Rica’s court and health system updates continue to shape public services, including enforcement on public beachfront land and changes to how healthcare waiting lists prioritize patients by clinical risk.

Flood & health response: Costa Rica’s health authorities are stepping up drinking-water checks and epidemiological surveillance after Tropical Wave #33, with teams monitoring water quality in affected communities and shelters, ramping up sanitary inspections and vector control, and urging people to avoid stagnant water and report supply problems. Heat stress at work: A new focus on occupational heat stress highlights how Costa Rica’s heat and humidity affect both outdoor labor and hot indoor workplaces, pointing to existing rules that require employers to assess risk and protect workers from fatigue through to heat-stroke emergencies. Nursing strike at Hospital México: About 180 nurses walked off the job after talks with CCSS stalled, leaving inpatient wards short-staffed and raising concerns about direct-care coverage, scheduling, and working conditions. Cancer care policy pressure: Lawmakers are urging action to protect insurance consumers from genomic discrimination, warning that delays are undermining early diagnosis and prevention. Flood disruption continues: Four days after the flooding, 473 schools remain closed and 1,300 people are still in 23 shelters, with the risk shifting from rain to saturated ground and landslide danger. Local wellness tourism push: Costa Rica promotes its “Wellness Pura Vida” strategy, tying nature reconnection and mental health to longevity-focused travel experiences. Water-resistant sunscreen study: UCR research suggests water-resistant sunscreen may slightly raise internal body temperature during prolonged exercise in heat, while still emphasizing sunscreen’s sunburn and UV protection value.