UWEC CERCA 2025

This project explores Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system, focusing on its approach to serving urban, rural, and Indigenous communities, as well as its role in enhancing population health. During a faculty-led intercultural immersion, we partnered with local experts and healthcare providers in the country and engaged in site visits to learn more about their healthcare system. The system has notably contributed to increased life expectancy, reduced infectious disease transmission, and lower rates of infant mortality while adapting to the growing burden of chronic disease in an aging population. Unlike the privatized and fragmented U.S. healthcare system, Costa Rica provides universal access, offering a valuable case study in alternative care models. By comparing the Costa Rican and U.S. healthcare systems, this project underscores the benefits and challenges of universal care, contributing to a more holistic approach to improving healthcare access and equity.