Nicaragua
Leading cause: Heart Disease · 60% plant-based · 74.5 yr life expectancy · UHC 70/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Heart Disease · 130 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Heart disease (130/100k) leads, with a gallo-pinto (rice and bean) diet that is protective, but Nicaragua, like El Salvador, faces a severe chronic kidney disease epidemic among sugarcane and farm workers linked to heat stress.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Address the agricultural chronic-kidney-disease epidemic (heat, hydration, working conditions).
- Curb sugary drinks; protect the rice-and-bean base.
Explore the evidence: Heart Disease
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 130 CVD deaths per 100k · 60% plant-based diet