AGP Executive Report

Maternal health funding fight: Costa Rica lawmakers challenged a proposed 2027 cut to earthquake/volcano/weather monitoring networks at UCR’s Red Sismológica Nacional and Ovsicori, after a magnitude 5.5 quake off Uvita triggered dozens of aftershocks—raising concerns about whether monitoring capacity will suffer. Healthcare tech in the public system: Nanox announced a Costa Rica distribution agreement with SOLME RC to market and support Nanox.ARC 3D tomosynthesis for hospitals and clinics, with commercialization tied to Costa Rica’s regulatory registration process. Eating disorder nutrition snapshot: A Peru-and-Costa Rica team’s regional review found extreme calorie swings in Latin American eating disorders (including bulimia/binge eating), with nutrient shortfalls like iron and folic acid—highlighting why nutrition support matters alongside therapy. Longevity spotlight: Reuters profiled 119-year-old Jose Flores in Costa Rica’s Nicoya “Blue Zone,” with his family citing calm living and strong belonging as key factors while verification is pending. Public health & travel: US reports show chikungunya cases are travel-associated only so far this year, keeping the risk mainly a “trip planning” issue—prompting mosquito precautions and clinician disclosure after travel. Exchange-rate stance: President Laura Fernández rejected calls to artificially peg the dollar, pointing to employment, tourism, and investment data instead. Children’s demographic shift: Costa Rica marked Children’s Day amid a steep drop in kids ages 0–12 over the past decade, with poverty and unequal access to computers still major concerns.

Earthquake Watch (Panama–Costa Rica border): A 5.4 quake hit Chiriquí, with Panama’s fire department inspecting hospitals and other structures as a precaution; a smaller 4.0 tremor followed in the border region. Health System Oversight (Costa Rica): Costa Rican lawmakers questioned proposed 2027 cuts to earthquake/volcano/weather monitoring networks at UCR and Ovsicori, after a 5.5 quake near Uvita triggered aftershocks. Medical Tech in Costa Rica: Nanox announced a Costa Rica distribution deal for its Nanox.ARC 3D imaging system via SOLME, aiming to expand access for public and private healthcare. Longevity & Wellness (Costa Rica): Reuters profiles 119-year-old Jose Flores in the Nicoya Peninsula, highlighting family ties and calm living as key longevity factors. Children’s Health & Demographics (Costa Rica): Costa Rica marked Children’s Day amid a sharp decline in kids ages 0–12, while poverty and unequal access to technology remain major concerns. Public Health (Travel): US reports 89 travel-associated chikungunya cases this year, with no local spread so far—reinforcing mosquito precautions for travelers. Disability Rights (Regional): A major Inter-American Court case in Guatemala targets decades of abuse tied to institutionalization of people with disabilities, pushing for community-based support.

Earthquake & Volcano Monitoring: Costa Rica lawmakers challenged a 2027 budget cut for the Red Sismológica Nacional (UCR) and Ovsicori (UNA) after a 5.5 quake off Uvita triggered dozens of aftershocks, raising concerns about how well the country can track seismic risk. Children’s Demographics: Costa Rica marked Children’s Day with a stark trend: INEC estimates 794,618 children ages 0–12 in 2026—about 180,220 fewer than a decade ago—while poverty remains high (21.5% in poverty, 8.7% in extreme poverty). Medical Imaging Access: Nanox announced a Costa Rica distribution deal for its Nanox.ARC 3D tomosynthesis system via SOLME, aiming to expand access to advanced imaging for public and private healthcare. Public Health Travel Alert: US surveillance reports 89 travel-associated chikungunya cases this year with no local spread yet, underscoring the need for mosquito precautions when traveling to affected regions. Longevity in the Nicoya Blue Zone: Reuters reports 119-year-old Costa Rican Jose Flores is seeking verification as the world’s oldest person, with researchers pointing to family ties, activity, and a calm lifestyle. Disability Rights: A major Inter-American Court case in Guatemala targets decades of abuse tied to forced psychiatric institutionalization, pushing for community-based support over confinement.

El Niño Health Risks for Central America: The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is strengthening and could bring above-normal heat, shifting rainfall, and higher risks of drought, wildfires, food insecurity, and extreme heat across the Americas—PAHO flags particular drought risk in parts of Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Local Earthquake Monitoring Funding: Costa Rican lawmakers challenged proposed 2027 cuts to earthquake/volcano/weather monitoring networks after a 5.5 quake near Uvita triggered aftershocks, raising concerns about how research and emergency readiness could be affected. Exchange Rate Policy: President Laura Fernández rejected calls to artificially peg the dollar, pointing to employment, tourism, and investment data and stressing the exchange rate should follow economic conditions. Pneumococcal Resistance Watch: A new systematic review summarizes global patterns of antimicrobial non-susceptibility in Streptococcus pneumoniae by age, region, and infection type—relevant for treatment and vaccination planning. Medical Imaging Expansion in Costa Rica: Nanox announced a Costa Rica distribution agreement for its Nanox.ARC 3D tomosynthesis system via SOLME, aiming to expand access to advanced imaging in public and private healthcare. Children’s Day Demographic Shift: Costa Rica marked Children’s Day amid a steep decline in kids ages 0–12, with poverty and uneven access to technology still major concerns. Disability Rights Case: A major Inter-American Court case in Guatemala highlights the harms of forced psychiatric confinement and pushes for community-based support over institutionalization. Longevity Spotlight: Reuters profiles 119-year-old Jose Flores in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, with international verification pending and family ties, diet, and daily activity cited as key factors. Travel Health Alert (Dengue): The CDC updated a global travel advisory after unusual dengue upticks among U.S. travelers returning from multiple countries including Costa Rica, urging mosquito-bite prevention. Wellness Travel Trend: KLM is marketing “wellness” as part of the flying experience, from booking to onboard comfort—reflecting how travelers increasingly mix health habits with trips.

Medical Imaging in Costa Rica: Nanox Imaging signed a Costa Rica distribution deal with SOLME RC, S.A. to market and support the Nanox.ARC 3D tomosynthesis system, with commercialization tied to the CCSS supplier ecosystem and a six-month POC registration phase. Longevity Spotlight: Reuters reports 119-year-old Jose Flores in Sardinal (Nicoya Peninsula) is seeking recognition as the world’s oldest living man, with local records pending international verification; his family points to calm living, physical work, and strong ties. COVID Watch: Argentina detected three BA.3.2 COVID-19 cases in Buenos Aires; one hospitalization was reported, and officials say global risk remains low while urging continued prevention. Travel Health Alert: The CDC flagged higher-than-expected dengue risk among travelers returning from Costa Rica and other countries, urging mosquito bite prevention and clinician disclosure for fever plus severe joint pain. Disability Rights: A major Inter-American Court case in Guatemala targets decades of abuses tied to involuntary psychiatric confinement, pushing for community-based support over institutionalization. Wellness Ethics: A new wave of huachuma (San Pedro) interest is raising questions about safety, consent, and responsible practice as mescaline-focused retreats spread.

Mosquito-borne disease alert: The CDC updated a global travel notice after finding more dengue cases among U.S. travelers returning from Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and several other countries—while also noting rising dengue activity at home, including locally acquired cases in the contiguous U.S. Longevity spotlight (Costa Rica): A 119-year-old man from Sardinal on the Nicoya Peninsula is seeking international recognition as the world’s oldest person; local researchers point to Blue Zone-style habits like family ties, physical activity, and a corn-and-beans diet. Local health & environment: Communities around Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya are pushing for greater say in protecting the sea, arguing for participatory marine governance to tackle illegal fishing and enforcement gaps. Public health research: A dementia trial across multiple Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, found hands-on coaching improved cognition more than lighter-touch advice. Travel logistics: Route 1 through Cambronero is closed indefinitely after a truck crash damaged a temporary bridge; the driver was taken to a hospital in San Ramón.

Dengue Travel Alert: The CDC updated its global travel notice after a spike in dengue cases among U.S. travelers returning from Costa Rica and other countries, urging bite prevention like repellent, long sleeves, and screened or air-conditioned sleeping areas. Longevity Spotlight (Costa Rica): A 119-year-old man in Sardinal on the Nicoya Peninsula—one of the world’s Blue Zones—says he’s seeking recognition as the world’s oldest person, with locals pointing to mineral-rich water, corn-and-bean meals, daily physical work, and strong family ties (verification pending). Vaping & Youth Health (Costa Rica): Costa Rica’s CCSS data show vaping-related disorder visits in 2025 heavily involved ages 10–19, while a key regulation is delayed until Aug 2027. Local Health & Access: Route 1 through Cambronero remains closed after a truck crash damaged a bridge, affecting travel between the Central Valley and Pacific regions. Community Health Governance: MarViva is pushing for Gulf of Nicoya communities to gain real decision-making power to protect fisheries and public health. COVID Update (Argentina): Argentina detected the BA.3.2 subvariant (low risk), with cases recovering and one hospitalization tied to pre-existing conditions.

Vaping crackdown (delayed): Costa Rica’s CCSS reports 5,901 outpatient visits for vaping-related disorders in 2025, with 2,438 involving ages 10–19; the long-awaited national regulation won’t start until August 2027 after a 12-month enforcement delay, though the nicotine and flavor limits and tighter labeling/advertising rules remain in place. COVID update (Argentina): Argentina detected its first BA.3.2 COVID-19 subvariant cases in Buenos Aires—three infections, one hospitalization due to pre-existing conditions—while officials say overall SARS-CoV-2 circulation stays low and the new lineage poses low risk. Community health & environment (Gulf of Nicoya): MarViva is pushing for stronger local decision-making in Gulf of Nicoya marine protection, using a participatory governance study and a heritage manual to address illegal fishing, weak enforcement, and climate-driven pressure. Road safety (Route 1 closure): Route 1 through Cambronero remains closed indefinitely after a truck crash damaged a temporary bridge; crews are removing the vehicle, inspecting the structure, and assessing repairs, with major travel delays expected. Family planning survey (Costa Rica): UNFPA research says young people still want to start families, but housing costs, job instability, insecurity, and limited childcare are delaying those plans.

Family Planning & Fertility: A UNFPA-commissioned report says young people still want to start families in Costa Rica, but costs, housing shortages, job insecurity, and limited childcare are delaying plans. Vaping Health Warning: CCSS data show vaping-related disorders are hitting Costa Rican teens hard (ages 10–19 drove 2,438 of 5,901 outpatient visits in 2025), even as stricter rules won’t fully take effect until August 2027. Brain Health Trial: A two-year Latin American dementia study (LatAm-FINGERS) found older adults with structured, coached lifestyle support improved cognition more than lighter-touch advice, including participants in Costa Rica. Public Health & Environment: Research flags “plastic pollution hotspots” across Latin America, warning that overwhelmed waste systems are leaking hard-to-recycle plastics with major health risks. Mesoamerican Kidney Crisis: Reporting highlights mesoamerican nephropathy as a growing Central American kidney disease linked to heat stress, dehydration, and possible agrochemical exposure, affecting people from Costa Rica to Guatemala. Local Health & Safety: Costa Rica’s green alert follows increased activity at Rincón de la Vieja, underscoring ongoing community health preparedness needs.

Vaping & Youth Health: Costa Rica’s CCSS reports 5,901 outpatient visits for vaping-related disorders in 2025, with 2,438 involving ages 10–19; new rules were delayed, but the nicotine/flavor limits and labeling restrictions are still set to start in August 2027. Local Public Health & Infrastructure: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers while neighborhoods still flood with sewage overflow; residents warn raw sewage and odors worsen with each rain, raising health risks as development outpaces drainage and sanitation upgrades. Longevity & Wellness Culture: A new lifestyle piece highlights Costa Rica’s Nicoya as a “Blue Zone,” tying community habits to longer life and renewed interest in wellness tourism. Health Research in the Region: A Latin America study (LatAm-FINGERS) finds culturally adapted lifestyle programs can improve memory and thinking in older adults, especially with more structured coaching and support. Medical Tourism & Industry: Costa Rica’s medical device sector is positioned as a global opportunity, with exports and manufacturing growth framed as a trust-and-sustainability story for healthcare partners. Health System Context: A separate report notes ICE’s profit jump is driven largely by currency exchange gains, while core operating revenues and business earnings decline—an economic backdrop that can affect public services.

Costa Rica’s development vs. public health: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers while neighborhoods still flood with sewage overflow, raising fears that higher density will worsen contamination and foul-odor conditions. Longevity and wellness tourism: A Punta Cacique update spotlights a Blue Zone-adjacent lifestyle pitch—spa, movement/yoga, thermal pools, and nature access—aimed at buyers seeking long-term wellness value. Medical exports spotlight: A new country-brand ranking highlights Costa Rica’s medical devices boom, citing 2025 exports and positioning the country as a trusted, sustainability-focused partner for healthcare supply chains. Medicinal cannabis manufacturing: Costa Rica inaugurates its first lab for producing medicinal cannabis medicines, signaling a push to expand local capacity. Brain health research relevance: A Latin America study reports culturally adapted lifestyle programs can improve memory and thinking in older adults, with stronger results when guidance is more structured. Local environment experiment: Scientists revisit a long-running orange-peel composting experiment in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, showing how organic waste can help degraded land recover.

Local Public Health & Infrastructure: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers while neighborhoods still flood with sewage overflow, raising fears that raw waste in streets and homes will worsen as density grows. Public Health Research: A two-year, culturally adapted lifestyle program across 11 Latin American countries improved older adults’ memory and thinking, with the biggest gains among participants getting more structured coaching. Health & Environment (Regional): Reporting on mesoamerican nephropathy links a growing kidney crisis to the Pacific coast of Central America, including Costa Rica, with suspected drivers like heat stress, agrochemical exposure, and poor hydration. Health & Safety (Costa Rica): Costa Rica police detained a Fuerza Pública officer in an alleged “Diablo” network case, with prosecutors alleging help with communications and possible drug re-sale. Health Policy/Access (Costa Rica): Costa Rica opened a legal status pathway for thousands of foreigners, with 98 applications filed on day one under a complementary special temporary category for certain Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Cuban, and Colombian residents. Wellness Tourism: A Costa Rica “wellness travel” piece highlights why repeat visitors keep coming back—more outdoors, movement, good food, and rest than a traditional spa-only model.

Illegal Alcohol Deaths: At least 10 people died after drinking illegally produced alcohol in India’s Gujarat, with police suspecting methanol poisoning and detaining suspects as investigations continue. Brain Health Programs: A two-year, culturally adapted lifestyle study across 11 Latin American countries found older adults improved memory and thinking, with the biggest gains among participants getting more structured coaching and support. Kidney Crisis Across Borders: Reporting highlights mesoamerican nephropathy, a growing chronic kidney disease affecting workers along Central America’s Pacific coast, with suspected links to heat stress, dehydration, and agrochemical exposure. Local Health Risk From Sewage Flooding: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers while residents report severe flooding and sewage overflow, raising concerns about worsening contamination and public health hazards. Costa Rica Medical Cannabis Milestone: Costa Rica inaugurated its first laboratory for manufacturing medicinal cannabis medicines, marking a new step for local access and production. Immigration Update: Costa Rica began accepting applications for a complementary special temporary category that could regularize thousands of people with unresolved or rejected refugee cases. Wellness Tourism Spotlight: A piece on why Costa Rica draws repeat visitors ties the trend to wellness travel that’s more than spa treatments—focused on nature, movement, food, and rest.

Kidney health crisis: A new report traces Mesoamerican nephropathy—chronic kidney disease affecting people along Central America’s Pacific coast, including Costa Rica—linking it to hard hot-labor work, dehydration, and possible agrochemical exposure, with families describing how kidney failure can derail lives and push people to seek care across borders. Local public health & housing: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers while neighborhoods still face severe flooding from sewage overflow, raising concerns that higher-density development could worsen contamination and foul-water exposure. Volcano safety: Costa Rica issued a preventive green alert around Rincón de la Vieja after more than 100 eruptions in July-August, with officials warning about possible lahars and heightened monitoring (no evacuations). Immigration & health access: Costa Rica opened a legal status pathway for thousands of people with unresolved or rejected refugee cases, offering work rights after years of limbo. Wellness tourism: Costa Rica continues to market itself as a return-worthy wellness destination, with coverage highlighting how wellness travel is shifting beyond spas toward nature, movement, and rest.

Sewage Flooding & Housing Plans: Montes de Oca is moving ahead with more apartment towers even as residents report severe flooding from sewage overflow, raising fears that higher density could worsen exposure to raw sewage, odors, and contaminated streets. Volcano Watch: Costa Rica issued a preventive green alert around Rincón de la Vieja after more than 100 eruptions in July–August, with officials warning about possible lahars and heightened monitoring for nearby communities. Immigration Regularization: Costa Rica began accepting applications under a new complementary special temporary category that could grant legal status and work rights to thousands of certain Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Cuban, and Colombian residents whose refugee cases are pending or rejected. Wellness Travel Spotlight: Costa Rica’s wellness appeal is being framed as more than spa time—focused on outdoor movement, good food, and real rest—while new global wellbeing hotel additions include The Retreat Costa Rica. Health & Safety in the News: A Costa Rica police officer was jailed in an alleged case tied to the “Diablo” drug network, with investigators alleging links to seized drugs and information sharing. Public Health Context: A dengue update reports 385 new cases in seven days, underscoring ongoing mosquito-borne risk. Wellbeing Tourism Growth: Small Luxury Hotels of the World expanded its Wellbeing Collection with seven new properties, adding more destination-based approaches to physical and mental health.

Costa Rica Immigration: Costa Rica has opened a new legal status pathway for some Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Cuban and Colombian residents, with 98 applications filed on Sept. 1 under the Complementary Special Temporary Category—aimed at people whose refugee cases were rejected or still pending. Public Health & Wellness Tourism: Small Luxury Hotels of the World expanded its Wellbeing Collection by adding seven properties, including The Retreat Costa Rica, as wellness travel keeps shifting from spa-only stays to nature, food, and whole-person routines. Volcano Safety: Costa Rica issued a preventive green alert around Rincón de la Vieja after more than 100 eruptions in July and August, including strong activity that could trigger lahars; no evacuations are expected. Health-Adjacent Crime: Two judges and an OIJ official were detained over alleged ties to the “Diablo” criminal network, including claims of sharing police radio info and handling drugs tied to seizures. Wellness in Practice: A feature on Punta Cacique highlights longevity-focused living near a Blue Zone area, with spa and movement offerings tied to resort-style wellness.