MCQ: The Costa Rican Approach
- Why is Costa Rica considered one of the healthiest countries in Central America?
A) It has the highest number of private hospitals
B) It decided not to have an army and invested in health and education instead
C) It has strict immigration policies
D) It focuses only on traditional medicine
- What major decision did Costa Rica take several years ago?
A) To expand its military forces
B) To eliminate all private healthcare facilities
C) To abolish its army and use the funds for public welfare
D) To ban foreign medical practices
- How does Costa Rica use the funds saved from not having an army?
A) To improve military training
B) To invest in public health, education, and social services
C) To build more luxury hotels
D) To expand private hospitals
- What are some basic services provided by the Costa Rican government?
A) Free housing for all citizens
B) Safe drinking water, sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare
C) Private medical insurance for everyone
D) Free transportation for all workers
- Which sector receives the most government attention in Costa Rica?
A) Defense and security
B) Industrial development
C) Healthcare and education
D) Space exploration
- How does Costa Rica ensure the health of its citizens?
A) By making health education a mandatory part of schooling
B) By offering free private healthcare
C) By restricting medical research
D) By banning traditional medicine
- What is one key feature of Costa Rica’s approach to public welfare?
A) Heavy investment in war technology
B) Prioritization of social development over military spending
C) Dependence on private healthcare
D) Ignoring rural healthcare needs
- Why is health education important in Costa Rica?
A) It helps people understand the importance of nutrition, sanitation, and disease prevention
B) It is only beneficial for healthcare workers
C) It is not considered essential for public health
D) It is only provided in universities
- How does Costa Rica’s investment in health and education impact its development?
A) It slows down economic progress
B) It improves the overall quality of life and increases productivity
C) It makes healthcare more expensive
D) It reduces literacy rates
- What can other countries learn from Costa Rica’s approach to healthcare?
A) Reducing military spending can improve public welfare
B) Prioritizing the army leads to better healthcare
C) Public health should be ignored in favor of industrial growth
D) Healthcare should be fully privatized
Answers and Explanations
- B) It decided not to have an army and invested in health and education instead
Costa Rica’s strong focus on public welfare makes it one of the healthiest nations in Central America.
- C) To abolish its army and use the funds for public welfare
The country chose peace over military expansion and redirected funds to health and education.
- B) To invest in public health, education, and social services
Costa Rica ensures that money saved from military expenses is used for the well-being of its citizens.
- B) Safe drinking water, sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare
These services are essential for maintaining good public health and preventing diseases.
- C) Healthcare and education
The government prioritizes social sectors to enhance the overall well-being of its people.
- A) By making health education a mandatory part of schooling
Educating people about hygiene, nutrition, and sanitation helps prevent diseases.
- B) Prioritization of social development over military spending
Costa Rica’s model shows that a focus on social development leads to long-term prosperity.
- A) It helps people understand the importance of nutrition, sanitation, and disease prevention
Public awareness and education play a crucial role in maintaining good health.
- B) It improves the overall quality of life and increases productivity
A healthier population leads to better economic performance and social well-being.
- A) Reducing military spending can improve public welfare
Costa Rica’s example proves that investing in healthcare and education can lead to better living conditions.