Study of the WHO and FAO

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates that the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables would prevent 1.7 million deaths a year.

According to the document, the minimum intake of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables (five servings) per day helps prevent chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension and consequent heart disease, including stroke, one of the leading causes of death in the world.

The report said that inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables worldwide causes approximately 19% of gastrointestinal tumors, 31% of more serious heart disease and 11% of cerebrovascular accidents (stroke).

However, potato and cassava, by excess carbohydrates should not be considered in the list for daily consumption.

Costa Ricans do not have this good habit. A study by the Social Security Fund (CCSS) reported that only 20% of people consume fruits, and usually eats only 3.5 servings three times a week.

Health Awareness in Costa Rica

Many People ask about health care in Costa Rica when planning on moving here. Costa Rica has a national program for healthcare which is available to everyone and everyone receives treatment. That means that the general population can get affordable treatment for serious diseases like cancer. Costa Rica is also advancing there prevention and detection of serious diseases and illnesses. Currently there is a program called Cangrejito which is planning to detect the cancer early childhood in Costa Rica.

This campaign called Cangrejito was created to raise awareness not only children but also teachers and parents so they can detect any signs of this disease.

It will provide information in over 400 schools on symptoms, treatment and features of different types of cancer that affect the child population.

In Costa Rica diagnosed 160 cases of childhood cancer per year. Most patients have less than five years old. However, thanks to early detection, 70% of patients achieved a cure.

Some of the signs which should be paid attention are: morning vomiting accompanied by headache, fever for no apparent reason, and growths in all body, pallor and general malaise.

This campaign is seeking to improve their knowledge and early detection of possible cases.

The program will start in the following months.

-Information from article in La Nacion-

US Accreditation Met by an Additional Costa Rican Healthcare Provider

San Jose’s Metropolitan Hospital is now being internationally recognized as a hospital that measures up to the private non-governmental organization’s guidelines and criterion for management quality and safety.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is based in the United States and overseas a highly regarded worldwide accreditation process intended to advance patient safety and provide patients access to information about member hospitals’ practices.

For a full list of the AAAHC’s accredited hospitals, please see www.aaahc.org.