A Comparison of Rural Healthcare Delivery Models:

USA and Costa Rica

Edward Ahonsi Ahanmisi

INTRODUCTION CARE IN RURAL AREAS

 The countries being compared have several differences: USA: Costa Rica:
• Land Mass Doctor
• Incentives Model • EBAIS Model
• Population Density
• GDP Per Person
• Purchasing Power Parity • Medical
FQHCs Federally Qualified Clerk
Health Centers Nurse
 Despite these differences, these countries confront similar EBAIS
issues with delivering healthcare to rural areas. clinics
 For both countries, about 20% of their population lives in rural HPSA • Health Professional
Shortage Area
areas.
Technical
Assistant Pharmacist
 According to the World Bank, a rural area is a place “where
population densities are low, markets of all kinds are thin, and •
RHCs Rural Health Centers
the unit cost of delivering most social services and many types
of infrastructure is high.”
KEY TAKEAWAY
Research Question: What impact does resource management In formulating health care models, parity of healthcare access must be addressed to ensure optimal health for rural populations.
and allocation have on health disparities and access in rural One of the prime indicators of optimal health is mortality rates. Can the EBAIS model be used successfully to address mortality
areas? rates and parity of access in rural areas of the US?

Costa Rica Population Density Costa Rica Mortality Rates Population Density U.S Population Density U.S Mortality Rates
By County By Province By County By County
2017 2013 2010 2016
Rural

Non-Rural

Mortality Rate

Sub Par

Above Par