AGP Executive Report

Airport Safety & Health Info: San José (SJO) airport is adding QR codes for U.S. travelers, directing them to the free STEP program for safety, health, weather, emergency alerts, and consular contact. Vaccine Update (HPV): New reporting says the American Academy of Pediatrics is considering whether adolescents may need just one HPV vaccine dose, with strong support cited from a large Costa Rica trial showing one dose works nearly as well as two over five years. Drug Safety & Monitoring: Costa Rica hosted global pharmacovigilance experts focused on improving medicines and vaccines safety monitoring. Dengue Watch: Costa Rica’s dengue incidence is reported at 84.85 cases per 100,000, with community action urged to remove standing water for Aedes aegypti. Workplace Wellness (Nicoya): A workplace wellness piece highlights Nicoya Blue Zone lessons: build movement into daily culture, make healthier choices easier, and strengthen human connection. Tourism & Wellness Demand: Canadian travel trends point to Liberia, Costa Rica (Guanacaste) as a fast-rising fall getaway tied to nature and wellness. Global Health Equity Risk: UNICEF warns 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face high El Niño-related climate risks that can disrupt safe water, health care, and child protection.

HPV Vaccines (Costa Rica link): A major HPV schedule debate is heating up as experts discuss whether adolescents may only need one dose. A large Costa Rica trial (published in NEJM in Dec. 2025) found one dose was not meaningfully less protective than two over five years, with strong protection against HPV types 16 and 18. Workplace Wellness (Nicoya): Costa Rica’s Nicoya Blue Zone is being highlighted for workplace lessons: build movement into daily routines, make healthier food choices easier, and strengthen social connection and purpose at work. Dengue (regional context): The Dominican Republic reported one of the lowest dengue rates in the Americas (8.57 per 100,000), while Costa Rica’s rate was also relatively low (84.85), as ministries stress community action to remove standing water. Global Health/Policy (medicines safety): Global pharmacovigilance experts gathered in Costa Rica to advance medicines and vaccines safety monitoring. Travel & Health (eco tourism): Costa Rica topped UK readers’ picks for responsible travel and ranked high for wildlife destinations, spotlighting conservation and sustainability standards.

HPV Vaccine Update: U.S. pediatric groups are weighing whether adolescents may only need one HPV shot instead of two, with renewed focus on a Costa Rica trial showing one dose was not meaningfully less protective over five years. Global Drug Safety in Costa Rica: WHO’s international drug monitoring network held its 44th annual meeting in San José, spotlighting “communication” as a key tool for safer medicines and vaccines. Dengue Watch: Costa Rica is listed among the lower dengue rates in the Americas (84.85 cases per 100,000), while the Dominican Republic reports one of the lowest in the region. Workplace Wellness (Nicoya): A new workplace wellness piece highlights Nicoya Blue Zone habits—movement, easier healthier food choices, social connection, purpose, and spirituality—as practical company culture ideas. Travel & Health Angle: Canadian travel trends point to Liberia, Costa Rica, as a wellness-friendly gateway to Guanacaste’s beaches, parks, and hot springs. Business Rules for Health Entrepreneurs: A guide notes foreigners can own Costa Rican companies, but operational frontline work typically requires residency or a work permit.

HPV Vaccination Update: A new discussion in the U.S. pediatric community is weighing whether adolescents can safely get by with one HPV vaccine dose, pointing to a large Costa Rica trial (NEJM, Dec 2025) where one dose was not meaningfully less protective than two over five years. Dengue Monitoring: A regional comparison highlights dengue control progress in the Dominican Republic (8.57 cases per 100,000), while noting Costa Rica’s rate (84.85) and urging community action to eliminate mosquito-breeding water. Workplace Wellness in Costa Rica: A wellness piece draws lessons from Nicoya’s Blue Zones lifestyle—more daily movement, easier healthier food choices, stronger social connection, and purpose—to help companies build healthier workplaces. Drug Safety in Costa Rica: WHO’s international drug monitoring network met in San José to strengthen pharmacovigilance and risk communication, with Costa Rica’s health ministry supporting the 44th annual meeting. El Niño Child Risks: UNICEF warns that 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high climate risks tied to El Niño, with impacts on safe water, health care, and education.

Dengue Watch: The Dominican Republic reported one of the lowest dengue incidence rates in the Americas (8.57 per 100,000), while Costa Rica sits at 84.85—health officials stress surveillance and community action to remove standing water. Workplace Wellness: A Nicoya “Blue Zones” workplace wellness piece highlights practical moves like building daily activity into culture, making healthier choices easier, and strengthening social connection. HPV Vaccine Update (Costa Rica link): A new HPV schedule debate in the U.S. points to a large Costa Rica trial suggesting one dose can be nearly as protective as two for key HPV types over five years—raising questions about how recommendations will align. Drug Safety in Costa Rica: WHO’s international drug monitoring network met in San José to push better communication as a core tool in pharmacovigilance and patient safety. Mental Health & Culture: A Spanish-language report spotlights the importance of mental health conversations in Hispanic families, with crisis support resources included. El Niño Risks: UNICEF warns 25.8 million children across Latin America and the Caribbean face very high El Niño-related rainfall risks, threatening food, safe water, and services. Business Rules for Health Entrepreneurs: A guide notes foreigners can own and run businesses in Costa Rica, but operational frontline work typically requires residency or a work permit.

Rare heart surgery in Costa Rica: International specialists will perform the first-ever modified Cone repair for Ebstein’s anomaly in the country, training local teams at Hospital Nacional de Niños and San Juan de Dios from Sept. 28–Oct. 2. Medicine access update: Costa Rica has capped prices of 517 medicines, with cuts of nearly 30% expected in December. Public health travel rule: Costa Rica will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for eight new destinations starting in October. Pharmacovigilance focus: Pakistan took part in a WHO drug monitoring meeting in Costa Rica, emphasizing risk communication and patient safety. Health system capacity: A new initiative highlights Costa Rica’s medtech momentum, including how medical devices make up a major share of exports. Safety at sea: Three Costa Rican fishermen missing for six days in the Caribbean were rescued alive by Panamanian authorities and reported stable. Wellness travel trend: A Marriott study finds 90% of Latin American and Caribbean travelers see vacations as essential for mental health, including in Costa Rica. Quality assurance warning: Ghana’s GTEC listed 110 unrecognized institutions, including Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, urging due diligence on certificates.

Medical Safety & Monitoring: Pakistan took part in a WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring meeting in Costa Rica, focusing on pharmacovigilance, risk communication, and patient safety. Advanced Cardiac Care in Costa Rica: Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care says international specialists will perform Costa Rica’s first-ever modified Cone repair for a rare congenital heart condition (Ebstein’s anomaly), with training alongside Hospital Nacional de Niños and San Juan de Dios from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2. Medicine Costs: Costa Rica set maximum prices for 517 medicines, aiming for nearly 30% reductions starting Dec. 23, 2026. Public Health & Travel: Costa Rica will require a yellow fever vaccination certificate for eight new destinations starting in October. Health & Biodiversity: A new UCR-led study suggests Costa Rica could host more than 40,000 fungal species, far above the fewer than 7,000 formally documented. Local Health Systems: Costa Rica’s medical devices sector keeps growing, with devices making up 46% of exports (US$7.29B) through August.

Fertility & Rights: A new piece on “selective pronatalism” highlights how some people face barriers to having children, including clinic and insurance cutoffs that can effectively block pregnancy. Yellow Fever Rules: Starting Oct. 1, Costa Rica will require a digital vaccination certificate for travelers to eight additional yellow-fever-risk destinations, with exemptions for infants, older adults, pregnancy/breastfeeding, and severe allergies/immunosuppression. Medicine Costs: Costa Rica set maximum prices for 517 medicines, aiming for near-30% reductions starting Dec. 23 for key health treatments. Rare Heart Surgery in Costa Rica: Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care says a modified Cone repair for Ebstein’s anomaly will be performed in Costa Rica for the first time, with international specialists training local teams. Public Health & Travel: A Marriott study finds 9 in 10 Latin American and Caribbean travelers view vacations as essential for mental health. Medical Industry Growth: Medical devices make up 46% of Costa Rica’s exports (Jan–Aug), underscoring the country’s expanding medtech manufacturing base.

Yellow Fever Rules for Travelers: Starting Oct. 1, Costa Rica will require a digital yellow fever vaccination certificate for trips to eight higher-risk destinations, with proof needed at least 10 days before travel. Medicine Costs: Costa Rica set maximum prices for 517 medicines, aiming for near-30% reductions starting Dec. 23 to ease household health spending. Rare Heart Surgery in Costa Rica: International specialists will perform a modified Cone repair for Ebstein’s anomaly—reportedly never done in-country—training local teams alongside Hospital Nacional de Niños and San Juan de Dios. Medical Manufacturing Boost: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s exports (US$7.29B) through August, underscoring the country’s growing medtech role. Biodiversity & Health Link: A new study suggests Costa Rica may host over 40,000 fungal species, far more than currently documented—important for ecosystem health and future medical research. Tourism & Well-Being: A Marriott study finds 9 in 10 Latin American and Caribbean travelers see vacations as essential for mental health, including in Costa Rica. Infrastructure for Quepos: President Laura Fernández announced upgrades in Quepos, including modernization of the La Managua airfield to support private flights and a new passenger terminal. Marine Rescue: Panama authorities rescued three Costa Rican fishermen after six days missing at sea, with medical checks on arrival.

Rare heart care in Costa Rica: International specialists will perform a first-ever in-country “modified Cone repair” for patients with Ebstein’s anomaly, with training and follow-up support running Sept. 28–Oct. 2 alongside teams from Hospital Nacional de Niños and San Juan de Dios. Medicine affordability: Costa Rica’s price caps on 517 medicines (68 active ingredients/combos) are set to take effect Dec. 23, with the government expecting near-30% reductions for key treatments. Yellow fever travel rule: Starting Oct. 1, a digital yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required for travelers to eight higher-risk destinations, with exemptions for age, pregnancy/breastfeeding, severe allergies, and severe immunosuppression. Health research & environment: A new study suggests Costa Rica may host over 40,000 fungal species, far above the fewer than 7,000 formally documented. Public health tech: Costa Rican-built AI “Flow” is being pitched as a way to deliver tailored medical research updates to doctors faster. Medical industry growth: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s exports (Jan–Aug), highlighting continued expansion of medtech manufacturing. Emergency rescue: Panama authorities rescued three Costa Rican fishermen missing for six days at sea after locating them about 20 miles off Colón for medical evaluation.

Yellow Fever Travel Rules: Starting Oct. 1, Costa Rica will require a digital yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers going to eight higher-risk destinations, with exemptions for infants under 9 months, adults over 60, pregnancy/breastfeeding, and severe allergy or immunosuppression. Medicine Costs: Costa Rica set maximum prices for 517 medicines (68 active ingredients/combinations), aiming for nearly 30% average cuts starting Dec. 23. HPV Vaccine Update Watch: U.S. experts are debating whether preteens may need one HPV shot instead of two, a potential shift in long-standing guidance. Medical Industry Growth: Medical devices made up 46% of Costa Rica’s exports through August, reaching about US$7.29B. Health Tech for Doctors: Costa Rican AI platform Flow is designed to summarize new research for clinicians by specialty. Biodiversity & Health Link: A new study suggests Costa Rica could host over 40,000 fungal species, far more than the 7,000 documented so far.

HPV Vaccine Guidance: U.S. health experts are weighing whether a single dose could replace the usual two-dose HPV schedule, a potential major shift for adolescent cancer prevention. Hidden Hunger & Fortification: A global health explainer highlights “hidden hunger” and points to Costa Rica’s mandatory food fortification as a success story, with anemia dropping sharply after programs for staples. Measles Risk After Travel: Vaccine-focused reporting links measles spread in the Americas to declining vaccination coverage plus mass travel and events like the World Cup, urging renewed immunization. Costa Rica Wetland Protection: Costa Rica’s court temporarily suspended visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland due to ongoing conservation gaps, pending a carrying-capacity study. Human Trafficking in Costa Rica: New figures show 83 trafficking victims reported in 2025, the highest since 2010, with cases heavily affecting women and young people. Banana Supply Pressure: Banana growers warn that even with steady retail supply, weather swings and disease pressure are straining production and logistics across key Central American origins including Costa Rica. Costa Rica Health & Wellness Business: RIMAN expands into Ecuador and more European markets, while a Santa Ana mother’s math game business (Itanwix) continues exporting educational cognitive stimulation products across Latin America.

Hidden Hunger & Fortification: A new explainer highlights “hidden hunger” (missing key vitamins and minerals even when calories are enough) and points to Costa Rica as a success story, citing declines in child and women’s anemia after mandatory fortification of staples like flour, rice, milk, and sugar. HPV Vaccine Guidance: U.S. experts are weighing whether preteens may soon need one HPV shot instead of two, a potential “significant shift” in cancer-prevention recommendations. Measles Risk From Travel: A vaccine-focused outlet warns that international travel and mass gatherings tied to the 2026 World Cup may have helped fuel measles spread across the Americas as vaccination coverage declines. Costa Rica Court Action: Costa Rica’s court temporarily suspends visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland in Garabito until authorities complete a carrying-capacity study to protect the ecosystem. Human Trafficking Update: Costa Rica reported 83 trafficking victims in 2025, the highest since at least 2010, with women and young people heavily represented. Banana Industry Pressure: Despite steady supply, banana growers say weather volatility and disease pressure are making the supply chain more costly and less reliable.

HPV Vaccine Update: U.S. experts are debating whether preteens may soon need one HPV shot instead of two, a “significant shift” that could reshape adolescent cancer prevention guidance. Measles Alert for the Americas: A Gavi-backed outlet links measles spread to international travel and mass gatherings around the 2026 World Cup, urging higher vaccination coverage as outbreaks continue across the region. Local Health & Access: A Costa Rican court temporarily suspended visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland, ordering a carrying-capacity study to protect the ecosystem—an indirect win for community health via safer, managed public use. Human Rights & Health: Costa Rica reported 83 human trafficking victims in 2025, with women and young people heavily represented, highlighting ongoing health and safety risks tied to exploitation. Banana Health & Supply: A FAO report says Costa Rica shipped 2.2 million tons of bananas in 2025, but growers remain worried about disease pressure and weather-driven supply chain strain. AI Governance: Former Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla helped open a UNGA81 roundtable on who builds, oversees, and governs AI for the public interest.

HPV Vaccine Guidance: U.S. experts are weighing a “significant shift” that could move preteen HPV protection from two doses to one, as vaccination recommendations remain split amid legal and policy fights. Measles Alert for the Americas: A Gavi-backed outlet links measles spread to declining vaccination coverage plus international travel and mass gatherings around the 2026 World Cup, urging catch-up immunizations. Local Health Access & Rights: Costa Rica’s immigration service says most foreign residents are legally documented and enrolled in the Caja, pushing back on claims that migrants are overburdening public health. Human Trafficking in Costa Rica: New CONATT figures report 83 trafficking victims in 2025, the highest since 2010, with women and young people most affected. Detention Health Concerns: Reports on a Costa Rican man with type 1 diabetes who died in U.S. ICE custody renew scrutiny of insulin access and chronic illness care in detention. Environment & Public Health: A Costa Rican court temporarily halts visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland, citing the lack of a management plan and risks to a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

Human Trafficking in Focus: Costa Rica reported 83 trafficking victims in 2025—the highest since at least 2010—with women (72%) and children/teens (38%) most affected, and more than half of victims being Costa Rican nationals. Public Health & Vaccines: A Gavi-backed outlet links measles spread in the Americas to declining vaccination coverage plus mass travel and World Cup crowds, urging renewed immunization efforts. Access to Care & Rights: Costa Rica’s immigration service pushed back on claims foreigners are overloading the Caja, saying most have legal status and contribute through formal work. Environment & Health: Costa Rica’s court temporarily halted visitor and vehicle access to the Playa Blanca Marine Wetland, citing lack of a management plan and ordering a carrying-capacity study before public use continues. Local Health Ecosystem: Costa Rica’s medtech growth gets a spotlight as MCI expands testing and quality/regulatory support for medical device makers. Cross-border Health Risks: U.S. reports of diabetes-related deaths in ICE custody involving Costa Rican detainees raise concerns about insulin, meals, and water in detention settings.