Rising Premature Death Rates in Costa Rica: A Regional Analysis
New research reveals significant factors contributing to premature mortality in the country, highlighting regional disparities and preventable causes.
In Costa Rica, where the life expectancy at birth is 81.05 years, a death occurring before the age of 70 is classified as a premature death and warrants investigation into whether it could have been prevented.
Last year, researchers from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) examined premature deaths over the previous five years to identify patterns and potential interventions.
Epidemiologist Roy Wong McClure, coordinator of the Epidemiological Profile 2019-2023 report, noted that the causes of premature mortality in Costa Rica are largely consistent with those observed in older populations, with a notable prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
These issues have been increasingly affecting younger individuals, with preventable cardiovascular diseases being a significant concern.
Additionally, younger demographics are more vulnerable to violence and accidents, which are increasingly accounting for a larger share of premature deaths in the country.
Wong highlighted, "Violence is a significant burden contributing to these early losses."
Researchers categorized health conditions into four groups:
Group 1A: Communicable diseases
Group 1B: Maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases
Group 2: Non-communicable diseases
Group 3: Injuries
The analysis of premature deaths across the various regions of Costa Rica, as classified by the CCSS, revealed specific trends.
In the category of communicable diseases, the highest rates of premature mortality were recorded in densely populated areas, including:
Mata Redonda-Hospital
Alajuela Central
Cañas
Zapote-Catedral
Limón
For maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases, regions such as Puriscal-Turrubares, Los Chiles, Limón, Abangares, and La Cruz experienced the highest impacts on mortality rates under 70.
When examining non-communicable diseases, the central canton of Limón again recorded significant numbers, followed by Alajuela Central, San Francisco-San Antonio, San Rafael de Puntarenas, Chacarita, and Carrillo, where the rates exceeded 1,187 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
In terms of mortality from injuries, areas with lower human development and greater inequality, such as Cóbano, Matina, Limón, Garabito, and Chacarita, exhibited the highest rates, with more than 600 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
The report emphasizes strengthening primary healthcare services—specifically the Ebáis (Basic Specialized Attention Teams)—as a crucial measure to reduce premature mortality.
Wong stated, "Improving the problem-solving capacity of primary care is essential.
It should serve as a support for these populations, ensuring that if hospitalization is necessary, it occurs with minimal delay."
Epidemiologist Diana Paniagua Hidalgo, who also contributed to the analysis, underscored the role of individual choices in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Key aspects include regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and avoiding smoking and vaping.
The analysis highlighted significant public health challenges, particularly from road traffic incidents, violence, and self-harm.
Trauma and injuries, particularly those resulting from accidents or acts of violence, accounted for a substantial proportion of hospital admissions—a total of 121,230 in the evaluated five-year period.
This category was noted for having the highest average duration of hospital stays—944,170 days—indicating the severity of these injuries.
Traffic-related injuries constituted the fifth leading cause of death during the period analyzed, resulting in 3,940 fatalities, while violence accounted for 3,151 deaths, ranking seventh among causes of mortality.
In terms of mental health, self-inflicted injuries ranked tenth with 2,108 deaths, indicating the urgent need for mental health interventions within communities.
Substance use disorders also emerged as a critical area of concern, featuring prominently in hospital admissions, with 371,140 medical encounters recorded.
The average length of hospitalization for these cases was approximately 50 days, pointing to the need for comprehensive strategies to address substance use and its effects on public health.
As the report illustrates, addressing these public health issues will require concerted efforts across various sectors to ensure better health outcomes for Costa Ricans.
Last year, researchers from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) examined premature deaths over the previous five years to identify patterns and potential interventions.
Epidemiologist Roy Wong McClure, coordinator of the Epidemiological Profile 2019-2023 report, noted that the causes of premature mortality in Costa Rica are largely consistent with those observed in older populations, with a notable prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
These issues have been increasingly affecting younger individuals, with preventable cardiovascular diseases being a significant concern.
Additionally, younger demographics are more vulnerable to violence and accidents, which are increasingly accounting for a larger share of premature deaths in the country.
Wong highlighted, "Violence is a significant burden contributing to these early losses."
Researchers categorized health conditions into four groups:
Group 1A: Communicable diseases
Group 1B: Maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases
Group 2: Non-communicable diseases
Group 3: Injuries
The analysis of premature deaths across the various regions of Costa Rica, as classified by the CCSS, revealed specific trends.
In the category of communicable diseases, the highest rates of premature mortality were recorded in densely populated areas, including:
Mata Redonda-Hospital
Alajuela Central
Cañas
Zapote-Catedral
Limón
For maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases, regions such as Puriscal-Turrubares, Los Chiles, Limón, Abangares, and La Cruz experienced the highest impacts on mortality rates under 70.
When examining non-communicable diseases, the central canton of Limón again recorded significant numbers, followed by Alajuela Central, San Francisco-San Antonio, San Rafael de Puntarenas, Chacarita, and Carrillo, where the rates exceeded 1,187 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
In terms of mortality from injuries, areas with lower human development and greater inequality, such as Cóbano, Matina, Limón, Garabito, and Chacarita, exhibited the highest rates, with more than 600 premature deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.
The report emphasizes strengthening primary healthcare services—specifically the Ebáis (Basic Specialized Attention Teams)—as a crucial measure to reduce premature mortality.
Wong stated, "Improving the problem-solving capacity of primary care is essential.
It should serve as a support for these populations, ensuring that if hospitalization is necessary, it occurs with minimal delay."
Epidemiologist Diana Paniagua Hidalgo, who also contributed to the analysis, underscored the role of individual choices in the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
Key aspects include regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and avoiding smoking and vaping.
The analysis highlighted significant public health challenges, particularly from road traffic incidents, violence, and self-harm.
Trauma and injuries, particularly those resulting from accidents or acts of violence, accounted for a substantial proportion of hospital admissions—a total of 121,230 in the evaluated five-year period.
This category was noted for having the highest average duration of hospital stays—944,170 days—indicating the severity of these injuries.
Traffic-related injuries constituted the fifth leading cause of death during the period analyzed, resulting in 3,940 fatalities, while violence accounted for 3,151 deaths, ranking seventh among causes of mortality.
In terms of mental health, self-inflicted injuries ranked tenth with 2,108 deaths, indicating the urgent need for mental health interventions within communities.
Substance use disorders also emerged as a critical area of concern, featuring prominently in hospital admissions, with 371,140 medical encounters recorded.
The average length of hospitalization for these cases was approximately 50 days, pointing to the need for comprehensive strategies to address substance use and its effects on public health.
As the report illustrates, addressing these public health issues will require concerted efforts across various sectors to ensure better health outcomes for Costa Ricans.
