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7320151 
Journal Article 
General theory of paradigms in health 
Mohs, E 
1991 
46 
14-24 
English 
1805365 
In Costa Rica, three sequential health paradigms have been identified over the last 50 years. The first began to develop during the 40's and has been called that of the deficiency diseases, since with a diachronic approach it placed excessive emphasis on malnutrition. The second began in 1970 and it is known as that of the infectious diseases, since through a holistic or synchronic approach, it underlined the importance of infections in high rates of morbidity and mortality. The third and last is the paradigm of the chronic diseases, it appeared in the 80's and is presently in process, doing battle with the chronic ailments, life styles, and environment, and it also utilizes a holistic approach. The recognition of these three paradigms has permitted Costa Rica a rapid advance in improving the health of its population, to the point that with a per capita outlay of $130 (US dollars), it has indices similar to those of the industrialized nations. This particular experience could be useful for other less-developed countries that are still applying the paradigm of the deficiency diseases. 
Adult; Attitude to Health; Chronic Disease/epidemiology/mortality; Communicable Disease Control; Communicable Diseases/epidemiology/mortality; Costa Rica/epidemiology; Deficiency Diseases/epidemiology/mortality/prevention & control; Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration/standards/trends; Health Planning/trends; Health Promotion; Infant Mortality/trends; Infant, Newborn; Models, Theoretical; Philosophy, Medical; Americas; Bacterial And Fungal Diseases; Beliefs; Breast Feeding; Central America; Chronic Diseases; Costa Rica; Culture; Delivery Of Health Care--changes; Developing Countries; Diseases; Economic Development; Economic Factors; Education; Environment; Family Planning Policy; Food Supply; Government Sponsored Programs; Health Services; Infant Nutrition; Infections; Integrated Programs; Latin America; Malnutrition; Medicine--history; Models, Theoretical--changes; Natural Resources; North America; Nutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Organization And Administration; Philosophical Overview; Political Factors; Population Policy; Poverty; Preventive Medicine; Primary Health Care; Program Design; Program Efficiency; Program Evaluation; Program Sustainability; Programs; Quality Of Life; Research Methodology; Self Care; Social Policy; Social Welfare; Socioeconomic Factors; Technology; Treatment