By Advaita Suresh

Copyright indiatimes

Global Desk

In 2021, Hannah Hinders departed the United States for Costa Rica following a painful breakup that made her struggling with anxiety, panic attacks, and alcohol usage. She also lost weight in those difficult periods. “I wasn’t healthy mentally or physically,” she cites to Yahoo.Nearly after four years, Hinders remains in Santa Teresa, where she surfs daily. Her transformation has been profound: her mental and physical health are the “best they’ve ever been,” she said. “I can’t even describe the change I’ve had in my life.”Her story shows a truth that has fascinated medical experts: while leaving to Costa Rica may not be the solution for all, the country does provide valuable health and longevity insights.Prevention Than CureWhen Johns Hopkins University oncology professor Dr. Otis Brawley addressed the concerning increase of colorectal cancer in young adults, he said why Costa Rica captivates him. “Prevention is the reason I’ve become obsessed with Costa Rica,” he cited. The country allocates just a tenth of what the U.S. invests in health care, yet its cancer mortality rate is 40% lower.“And it’s all based on healthy living,” Brawley said in that interview.Live EventsThe data highlights: in 2021, Costa Rica’s average life expectancy was 78.6 years, when compared to 76.4 in the U.S., according to the World Health Organization. Although the difference seems to be small, experts mention it’s significant in demographic criteria. Cancer deaths also remain lower, 75.3 per 100,000 in Costa Rica when compared to 145.4 per 100,000 in the U.S.What’s Driving Costa Rica’s Health Benefits?Experts concentrates to four core elements:1. Lower Smoking RatesTobacco usage, one of the top reasons for cancer, never reached the same traction in Costa Rica as in the U.S. Brawley cites tobacco firms that overlooked the small Central American nation in the 1950s and 1960s as its population wasn’t profitable enough to target. Although cigarette companies later used Costa Rica for marketing tests in the 1990s, the country passed anti-tobacco laws in the 2000s, cutting smoking rates by about 10 percent.2. Nutritious DietsTraditional Costa Rican meals are focused on beans, rice, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Brawley cites, “The fruits and vegetables and good-diet-stuff [Costa Ricans] eat is a factor” in minimizing obesity-related illness such as colorectal cancer. In contrast, the U.S. diet has become heavily processed, increasing higher obesity and cancer risks.Hinders experienced this transformation initially. Back in the U.S., she worked for extended hours at the Pentagon and depended on restaurant food and processed foods. After leaving, her surfer friends challenged her routines: “why are you eating that or putting that in your food?” With time, she focused on cleaner eating. Today, she and her friends catch fish and consume fresh tropical produce every day.3. Physical ActivityPhysical activity in Costa Rica isn’t always about gyms or workouts, it’s integrated into lifestyle. Several people walk or bike for errands. Hinders, for example, doesn’t own a car and always walks to the store several times in a day. As Dr. Brawley mentions, higher-income lifestyles in developed nations more often pop up with “bad habits” like less exercise and increased driving, resulting in worse health outcomes.4. Strong Social ConnectionsLoneliness, which is considered to be an epidemic in the U.S., is not very common in Costa Rica. Extended families mostly live together, and community links run intensely. University of Michigan public health professor Edward Ruiz-Narvaez discovered that Costa Ricans with good social connections had a nearly 30% lower mortality rate than those with weaker ties.“In Costa Rica, it’s common to observe houses with three generations [living in them] parents, grandparents and kids and that’s a part of social connection,” Ruiz-Narvaez cites. Meals are often shared, reinforcing food into a social ritual as much as a nutritional as well.Hinders mentions that this communal lifestyle has been transformative for her. “I had never lived somewhere where I got to know everyone at the grocery store, or the coffee shop; you’re friends with everyone and you can’t drive down the road without waving to 10 people,” she cites.Universal Care Meets Everyday RoutinesCosta Rica’s universal health care system offers affordable medical facilities, but experts highlight that the nation’s health outcomes are connected more by culture than policy. The blend of fresh foods, active living, and tight-knit social interactions has made a model that many believe could inspire healthier lifestyles.As Ruiz-Narvaez notes, modernization is shifting some routines in Costa Rica, especially in urban areas, but the fundamentals are still clear: whole foods, community, and daily movement are major protectors of long-term wellbeing.Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare expert with any concerns in regard to your health or lifestyle.FAQs:Q1. Where is Costa Rica? Costa Rica is in Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama.Q2. What is Costa Rica’s official language? Spanish is the official language.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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