Travel & Health
Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going – Paul Theroux
image by: CDC Travelers' Health
HWN Recommends
Rick Steves: Using Travel to Better the World
If you watch PBS, you know Rick Steves. He’s that blond, bespectacled fellow with the Mr. Rogers delivery who takes us on travels throughout Europe and beyond, showing us sights, sharing history, and providing practical travel tips. He is probably America’s most famous traveler, and he’s become enough of a staple of PBS programming to be a regular feature of every pledge drive.
But Steves is not content merely to show us the world. Traveling may be his job, but he works it partly to bring people together through exposure to each other; and he uses his success to improve the world around him.
The Rick Steves story starts out as both ambitious and modest. Having acquired…
Resources
Current Travel Health Notices
Travel Health Notices inform travelers and clinicians about current health issues that impact travelers’ health, like disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, and natural disasters, in specific international destinations.
Vaccines. Medicines. Advice
Get the latest updates...
How Not to Get Sick While Traveling
Do masks work? It depends. Health professionals offer some tips on how to stay healthy while on the move.
Traveling by Ear: 13 Podcasts for Wandering Souls
Close your eyes and be transported to Mexico, Italy, Montana and beyond. All you have to do is listen.
Does screening travelers for disease and infection really work?
Many countries are screening passengers at airports with limited success. Despite improved technology in the past decade, passengers who are incubating a disease and have no clinical signs or symptoms may pass through the checkpoints undetected.
How risky is air travel in the pandemic? Here’s what the science says.
The airline industry says getting on a plane is safe. But nothing is perfectly safe when it comes to Covid-19.
The enormous privilege of choosing to travel during a pandemic
The holidays are going to look very different this year. As the US approaches the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November, and the world anticipates a swirl of end-of-year celebrations, Covid-19 cases are reaching an all-time high. There are safer ways to celebrate with loved ones: The safest, of course, is to keep the party within your household. But several public health organizations, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have put out guidance on traveling and eating together, if you absolutely can’t imagine a Thanksgiving without extended family and friends.
The safest way to travel during the pandemic
Other travelers are the biggest risk.
Tips For Staying Healthy When Traveling Abroad
When planning a summer trip abroad, it's easy to think, "Oh, I'll just hop over to a travel clinic, and they'll tell me everything I need to know — and do — to keep from getting sick." But that's not always the case.
How To Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling
There’s a variety of factors which can make you ill whilst you’re travelling, from locally-found diseases to different foods, to bacteria on the plane. Even the stresses of everyday life coming to a sudden stop can upset your system, which is used to running on adrenaline. Yes, even just relaxing can make you ill, as bizarre as it sounds.
The negative health effects of business travel are your employer’s problem, too
Indeed, judging by the veneration of the points and miles world, you’d be right to think that spending half your life on business trips should be the goal of every ambitious corporate worker. However, the reality isn’t quite so rosy. Beyond the existing research connecting poor longterm health outcomes like obesity and cardiovascular disease with frequent business travel, there’s new evidence that factors like lack of sleep, poor food choices, more time spent sedentary, and stresses of travel could also be having a deleterious impact on travelers’ health in a more immediate sense.
Travel accessories that make your trip way less stressful
Don’t let dead batteries, dirty socks, or bad headphones ruin your vacation.
Air Travel Exposes You to Radiation--How Much Health Risk Comes with It?
You might guess that a frequent flyer’s radiation dose is coming from the airport security checkpoints, with their whole-body scanners and baggage x-ray machines, but you’d be wrong. The radiation doses to passengers from these security procedures are trivial. The major source of radiation exposure from air travel comes from the flight itself.
Airport Scanners: Trading One Hazard for Another?
One of the 'hottest' issues in worldwide air travel security is the use of the so-called full body scanners. So, are airport scanners safe or not?
For a More Creative Brain, Travel
How international experiences can open the mind to new ways of thinking.
How to Prepare for Health Problems on a Trip Abroad
It’s the worst-case scenario for even the most intrepid traveler: a medical emergency or health crisis in a foreign country. Though many travelers take important steps against infectious disease, including vaccinations, malaria pills and diarrhea remedies, experts say they often overlook other physical dangers: sudden catastrophic illness, accident, assault or natural disaster...
How to Stay Healthy While Traveling Over the Holidays
From norovirus to Zika, there are lots of nasty bugs out there.
How to Stay Safe & Healthy While Traveling
To be able to travel is like a dream come true for many. When most people think about traveling, they have thoughts of adventure, glamour and culture floating through their minds. It seems though, that not many wanderlusters out there are thinking about the health and safety issues that sometimes creep up during traveling. As an experienced traveler, and one that is quite paranoid about my health, I have come up with my own tips and tricks for staying safe and healthy while traveling.
It’s the Grim Reality of Frequent Work Travel: Health Problems
Their lives may be portrayed as glamorous. In fact, they’re often the opposite. Pity frequent business travelers.
Medical Tourism - What about Mexico?
Thinking about going to Mexico to get your health care? Definitely, a lot of Canadians and Americans do. But make sure you know the players and the rules.
Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare - Where Are You Going?
Medical tourism is primarily driven by lower health care costs and facilities and health care professionals that are comparable to back home. The added benefit is you get to travel but are you getting your money's worth?
Rick Steves’s Plan for a Better World: More Travel
“The world’s a rough-and-tumble, growing, fascinating, diverse place, and I think it’s an exciting ride, and we can be part of it,” he says.
Science-Backed Travel Hacks To Stay Healthy And Energized
If you spend countless hours per month on flights, you are familiar with the impact it has on the body. It is critical to take steps to prepare yourself before, during and after flight. If you don’t, you’ll likely feel groggy, tired and sick all the time. To maintain your energy, strengthen your body and stay productive once you land at your destination, follow these doctor recommended tips.
Stem Cell Therapy - Ready for Prime Time?
Adult stem cells hold enormous potential in the treatment of disease, but more importantly they do not carry the burden of controversy that has surrounded embryonic stem cells for well over two decades.
The Dangerous Practice of Seeking Medical Treatments Abroad
Over a million Americans will seek medical treatment outside of the United States this year, but "medical tourism" is not without serious risks.
Traveling over the holidays? Follow these tips to stay healthy
People planning travel abroad should talk to their health care provider well in advance of their trip, Brunette said. That allows time to make sure your vaccination status is up to date and you can stock up on medicines your doctor might prescribe, such as anti-malarial drugs if you should take them.
You're Screwed Even if You Buy Travel Health Insurance
Read the fine print.
Rick Steves: Using Travel to Better the World
“Keep on travelin’,” he says at the end of most of his travelogues. But for Rick Steves, it’s a catchphrase that is no less about self-betterment than sightseeing. And he walks the walk.
Five Reasons Why Travel Is Good For Your Mental Health
It's no news that travel is good for your physical wellbeing, but a significant amount of scientific research suggests that exploring a new place can do wonders for your mental and emotional health as well.
Travel Doctor
The Travel Doctor TMVC website provides vaccination advice, travel health advice, clinic details and current health alerts for overseas travel.
Traveldoctor.info
Traveldoctor.info provides detailed information for travellers about diseases worldwide and, immunization requirements for all countries. The advice is based on the Scandinavian perspective, and reflect how we advice travellers from Scandinavia.
Travax
TRAVAX is an interactive online database providing up to the minute travel health information for health care professionals.
TravelHealth.co.uk
Information about health issues while travelling, and practical advice about how to stay healthy.
Travelling Well
Whether your overseas getaway involves five-star comfort, or being far off the beaten track, or anywhere in between, Travelling Well is your invaluable travelling companion.
TravelSkills
News and tips for your trips from Chris McGinnis!
Athletic Minded Traveler
As an athletic-minded traveler, I know first hand how difficult it can be to find legitimate workout options, especially the best hotel gyms. This website essentially guarantees that my out of town exercise questions will be answered before I leave home.
Fit for Travel
We give travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK. Remember that you should always discuss your particular needs with your own doctor or nurse.
Health Conscious Travel
To help my readers feel their best, explore the world, live life to its fullest potential, and connect with others who share these goals and values. I also want to empower readers with the best, wisest, and most relevant information. After all, how many times have you looked back and wished you’d known more when planning a trip or dealing with a health issue? After 20 years of reporting on health, nutrition, travel, green living, yoga/meditation, and fitness, I know a lot; this website is my chance to share what I learn when I feel it can benefit others.
International Medical Travel Journal
The International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) was established in 2007 in response to the increasing interest in medical travel and medical tourism. It embraces many of the themes that challenge healthcare providers across the world - insurance, accreditation, marketing and promotion, quality, patient safety, levels of care and experience in treating international patients.
Journal of Travel Medicine
The Journal of Travel Medicine transports you to the challenging areas of your field with up-to-date research and original, peer-reviewed articles.
MASTA
MASTA provide professional Travel Health Advice directly to the public through our popular online Health Brief and via our network of UK Travel Clinics. MASTA Health Briefs can be created online in a couple of minutes and downloaded instantly.
MDtravelhealth
International travel can pose various risks to health, depending on the characteristics of both the traveller and the travel.
Passport Health
Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure we can prepare you for your trip with destination-specific travel information, immunizations, specialty travel products, and international travel health insurance.
SmartTraveler.gov.au
Staying healthy while travelling can help to ensure your trip overseas is a happy and enjoyable one. This brochure provides health information and travel tips to help you prepare for a safe and healthy journey.
Travel Medicine
Travel can be challenging. When you leave your familiar surroundings, you encounter different languages, foods, currencies, customs, weather, electricity, living conditions and more. But with the right preparation, you can return home with fond memories of journeys taken and excited anticipation for future trips.
Travel Medicine & Infectious Disease
The journal will publish original papers and invited reviews covering all aspects of travel medicine and infectious disease.
Travel.State,Gov
Safety. Security. Service. Our highest priority is to protect the lives and interests of U.S. citizens overseas. We do this through routine and emergency services to Americans at our embassies and consulates around the world. We serve our fellow citizens during their most important moments – births, deaths, disasters, arrests, and medical emergencies. The Bureau of Consular Affairs formulates and implements policy relating to immigration and consular services and ensures responsive and efficient provision of consular services overseas.
World Travelers of America
Through their membership in the World Travelers of America, thousands of travelers and travel enthusiasts from across the nation share a common mission - working together to improve the safety, affordability, and ease of travel.
Worldwise Travel Health Clinics
We provide you with the knowledge and confidence to keep you well and healthy when you travel.
Adventure Medical Kits
Our playing fields are often located far from the modern amenities that we take for granted - electricity, telephones, running water, and ready access to professional medical help. Consequently, the need to be self-sufficient in the outdoors is essential, especially during an emergency when assistance from rescue teams may be hours or days away.
Airport Gyms
The most comprehensive and fastest growing community on the Internet for the FREE listings of airport gyms, airport exercise clubs, and airport fitness centers available in and around select popular US (and Canadian) airports today.
Atwater Carey
When it comes to wilderness medicine, there's one name outdoor enthusiasts trust - Atwater Carey. From backpacking and camping to mountain climbing and canoeing, Atwater Carey has a first aid kit specifically designed for your next outdoor adventure.
BringFido
BringFido.com is a dog travel directory that provides unbiased reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity. Information is also available on thousands of bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campgrounds that welcome pets in 150 countries worldwide.
HTH Worldwide
We are a leader in helping world travelers gain access to quality healthcare services all around the globe.
International SOS
We believe in making it easier for organisations to work and grow on an international scale. We can help you achieve your goals by preparing your employees for travel and supporting them whilst they are in unfamiliar and remote locations. We help to keep them healthy and safe, so you can focus on your core business activities.
Katadyn
Katadyn develops water filters, that use chlorine or silver based material for sterilisation and mobile desalination equipment for travelling, outdoor, camping and marine applications.
Oxygen To Go
Oxygen To Go rents the new Inogen One system to oxygen dependent travelers and other oxygen using patients who need a light-weight, reliable, portable source of oxygen.
Scubadoc
Comprehensive information about diving and undersea medicine for the non-medical diver, the non-diving physician and the specialist. Online Questions, answers and comment.
Canada
If you are travelling internationally you should be aware that conditions in other countries, both natural and man-made, may be significantly different from those in Canada and may seriously affect health and personal security during travel.
CDC
Health information for specific destinations
MedicineNet
Why should travelers see a physician before they leave?
MedlinePlus
Traveling can increase your chances of getting sick. It takes your body time to adjust to the water, food and air in another place. Water in developing countries can contain viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
TSA
Our common-sense approach borrows and adapts the best ideas from business and industry. The goal is not just to make people feel safe, but to ensure that they really are safe.
WHO
All people planning travel should become informed about the potential hazards of the countries they are travelling to and learn how to minimize any risk to their health.
Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.
