Archive for July, 2009

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The H1N1 Line-up: Pregnant Women and Children First?

Friday, July 31st, 2009 by Moira Bishop

flushotThough U.S. officials hope to have enough of the H1N1 vaccine to distribute it to 120 million people, the Advisory Council on Immunization practices has recommended prioritizing vaccinations based on the scenario of having only 42 million doses available by October.

At the top of this priority list are the following groups: pregnant women, children and healthcare workers.  Surprisingly, last in line for the vaccine are those over the age of 65. Though they are normally considered high-risk, the breakout of H1N1 among this group has been comparatively lower than in other groups. The CDC suggests that this may be because this group was exposed to early strains of H1N1 many years ago.

Some EU countries including Britain, Greece, France and Sweden, are anxious to get a vaccine tested and approved in a shorter timeframe and plan to deploy it as soon as it is approved– within weeks in some countries.  Though many wonder if the risks and benefits have been properly weighed, European officials clearly think the rush is worth it.  If you are planning a trip to Europe in the next couple of months, we will help you keep an eye on any vaccination requirements for international travelers.

What does all this mean?  H1N1 continues to keep us wondering what will happen next. And if countries are reacting differently to the threat it presents, at least it is being given proper consideration. 

Be sure you check out the recommended priorities from the Advisory Council and find out where you fall on the list. Will you get the vaccine or will you choose to take your chances with H1N1?

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Posted in H1N1 (Swine) Flu | 1 Comment »

Airline Air – five tips for breathing easier

Thursday, July 30th, 2009 by Andy Orr

crowdedplaneYesterday, the Wall Street Journal posted about cabin fume events – how problems during a flight can cause real air quality issues for the crew and passengers.  Hopefully, these events are rare and that raising the red flag in the press will help the airlines improve things so that they become rarer still.

However, even on flights without specific problems, there are air quality issues and steps one can take to minimize the effects of these.

 Why is the air so bad?

  • Airline cabin air is recycled. Older aircraft tend to filter air and mix in part fresh air before recirculating it in the cabin. Newer aircraft tend to use almost all recirculated air. Often when the plane is on the ground the recirculation and filtering systems aren’t completely functional so the air may be of even worse quality than when you’re in flight.
  • Airline cabin air is extremely low in humidity. Such air can dry the mucous membranes of your nose, mouth, throat and bronchial tree (or breathing tubes), which are then less able to keep out viruses and bacteria. Your eyes may become dry and uncomfortable as well.
  • Airline cabin air is low in oxygen relative to fresh air on the ground. Healthy individuals shouldn’t notice any difference but those with chronic lung conditions might.
  • High altitude flights draw in air that contains high levels of ozone. Most  big airliners that fly longer routes are equipped with ozone converters that decompose this air, but this may not be the case with planes designed for shorter flights.
  • While airplane filtration systems are pretty good at eliminating more serious pathogens like Tuberculosis (TB) from cabin air, the proximity of your fellow passengers can increase your risk of getting a respiratory infection–a miserable, business trip-spoiling cold.

 What can I do?

  • Choose a seat in the middle of the plane.  As the air circulates across the rows and not up and down the plane, some experts believe the worst air is in the front or the back of the plane.
  • Stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids (water or fruit juice) and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which will dehydrate you. In my experience most flight attendants will gladly provide you a bottle of water even during the boarding process.
  • If you wear contact lenses, take them out before you fly–or have your lens case handy in case you need to take them out in-flight.
  • If your row-mate has chosen to fly with a raging cold and is sneezing and coughing near you, ask to be reseated. Cover your nose and mouth when he or she sneezes.
  • Wash your hands. Many respiratory viruses are transmitted through hand to face contact. In addition to keeping your hands clean, don’t touch your mouth, nose or eyes with dirty fingers.
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Catch your rays the old fashioned way—travel!

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

tanningbed1Thinking about visiting a tanning salon to work on your base tan before heading on your vacation? You might want to read the latest news posted on CNN.com — Study: Sunbeds as harmful as cigarettes.  The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) just reclassified their position on the relation between sunbeds and cancer.  According to their studies, melanoma is more than 75% more likely to occur in individuals who use tanning devices before the age of 30.  And skin cancer isn’t the only type of cancer that people who visit tanning beds need to worry about: ocular melanoma is also a very real threat.

 

People have been speculating on the safety of tanning salons for years. Now that you know the truth, will you stop tanning?

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Walking Into Trouble: Pedestrians in Peru (and Other Places)

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 by Emily Moran

Worldwide, 46% of all highway fatalities are “vulnerable road users”-pedestrians, cyclists and people on two-wheeled motor vehicles, according to the recent WHO report on road safety.  But we’ve run some numbers and found that in Peru, for instance, pedestrians alone account for 78% of all highway deaths. In the U.S. and India that figure is 12%.

Travelers typically explore their new surroundings on foot, so we think it’s worth investigating where pedestrians run (or should I say walk into?) the highest risks. The chart below shows the countries where pedestrians make up the highest proportion of road deaths.

Look Both Ways - Pedestrians as % of Total Deaths

Look Both Ways - Pedestrians as % of Total Deaths

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Joining Peru in the “top twenty” are countries as diverse as Mozambique, El Salvador and the Ukraine. When paired with similar countries, large disparities in risk appear. For instance, Peru (78%) and Ecuador (43%) are Andean neighbors; Mozambique (68%) and Kenya (47%) are East African cousins; El Salvador (63%) and Panama (46%) are Central American siblings, and the Ukraine (56%) and Belarus (40%) are almost Eastern European twins. Why the spread? We’re not sure, but it’s well worth noting.

Even if you’re not traveling to one of these high risk countries, it’s a good bet your pedestrian experience will be very different when you’re abroad, particularly if you’re exploring big cities. Traffic patterns may be novel, sidewalks may be limited, and stoplights or crosswalks are often inadequate or non-existent. Check out these videos of people crossing the street in Vietnam (no death rate data available!): this one has a nice view of traffic pattern, and this one shows the perils even on a crosswalk!

So, wherever you’re walking (and running these risks), here are a few tips:

  • Walk where cars can see you-not behind signs or bushes.
  • Wear visible clothing-resist the urge to wear black at night.
  • Look both ways! If cars drive on the right (like in the U.S.), look left first, then right, then left again before starting to cross. If cars drive on the left, look right, then left, then right again.
  • Face traffic when you are walking on the roads (especially on the more narrow ones) so that you can see approaching vehicles.
  • Assume the motor vehicle always has the right of way.

If you have any tip or experiences that you’d like to share, please do! 

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21st Century House Calls – No doctor in the house, no problem

Monday, July 27th, 2009 by Andy Orr

telehealth1Cisco and UnitedHealth Group announced last week a new partnership to build the first national telehealth network.  Calling Connected Care “the house call for the 21st century,” United’s CEO Stephen Helmsley added that it will “make it easier for people to receive care where distance has been an obstacle.”

Some thoughts on this:

  • Will new technology reverse the need for medical tourism? Doctors are already performing procedures remotely using robotics. In fact, SRI International developed the first ‘telepresence surgery’ technology for the U.S. military way back in the 80s.
  • Will it help the affluent reach highly-paid doctors wherever they are, or is it a leveler for the underserved here in the U.S. and elsewhere? The latter seems to be one area that UnitedHealth Group is addressing with the concept of mobile telehealth clinics.
  • Will technology ever be able to replace the value of the human contact of a traditional doctor visit? Maybe not completely, but I bet it will come pretty close.

One thing is for sure, as digital bandwidth increases and gets less expensive, technologies like these will make sense in more and more situations.  It may not be too long until a traveler can use her smartphone and an Internet connection to receive high quality medical advice on the go with two-way video and audio.  The iPhone’s new support of third-party hardware integration has also been often cited as a natural place for healthcare devices to emerge.

Of course, there will always be the potential for tension between a telehealth opinion and the treatment options immediately available or the opinion of a hands-on physician. Let your imagination wander and let us know where you think telehealth will lead!

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The Safe and Healthy Traveler’s Guide to Packing: Part Three

Friday, July 24th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

safedrivingSince we have been mining the WHO’s road safety report in our recent posts, let’s talk about preparing to drive safely when you’re abroad.  Though there are many things beyond your control, a little preparation goes a long way for the safe and healthy traveler. So if you expect to be driving on your next trip, consider these tips:

Know the road rules for the country in which you will be traveling.  Are right turns allowed at red lights (or left if you are driving on the other side of the road)?  Do pedestrians always have the right of way?  What are the usual speed limits ? How are they enforced? What traffic signs are utilized? For some good information on country specific traffic safety and road conditions check out the U.S. Department of State’s Road Safety Overseas page. 

  • Familiarize yourself with the metric system (after all the U.S. is the exception).  Barry Goldsmith, a creator of tours for General Tours recounts an episode when he was pulled over  for driving too slowly because he was thinking in miles, not kilometers. 
  • Don’t assume your rental car will be equipped with standard safety features. Be sure to ask for a car that has functioning airbags and front and rear seatbelts.  If you are traveling with a child, you should bring your own child safety seat because the ones you encounter abroad are often below the standards you expect. You may need additional safety materials to adhere to local laws. For instance, there is a law in France that requires cars to have a reflective vest in   the passenger area and a hazard triangle in the trunk at all times.  
  • Don’t assume that your auto insurance will cover you when you are abroad.  Check with your agent and check with the facility from which you will be renting to make sure you have the proper coverage. For example, according to AAA, U.S. motorists in Canada need to obtain a Non-Resident Inter-Province Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card that can be used as evidence of financial responsibility in Canada in the event of an accident. 
  • Pack directions and maps so you can focus on driving instead of trying to figure out where you are going.  Better yet, bring along a portable GPS device or a smartphone that has this built-in.  Make sure that it covers the area of the world where you will be.
  • Locate the windshield wipers, headlights and emergency brake when you get behind the wheel and learn how they function.
  • Don’t forget to pack your glasses or contacts, especially if you need to drive at night. Some advise against driving at night in unfamiliar countries. It’s hard enough to navigate the roads and the laws in the daylight, under the cover of darkness, it becomes more difficult.  Finally, an obvious, but still necessary piece of advice: don’t forget to bring your driver’s license!  If you have any other advice you’d like to share, we’d like to hear it.
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Tips for using Wi-Fi Safely while Traveling

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 by Andy Orr

freewifi2A HealthyTravelBlog reader recently wrote us to follow up on our post Going Mobile: Global Travelers and Communication Technology.  It turns out he represents Symantec’s Norton Internet Security products.  Although there are some blatant plugs for Symantec, his (and Symantec’s) advice is important, so we decided to post it in full:

My name is Gerritt Hoekman and I work for Edelman, a PR firm. I’ve been researching travel-focused Web sites that offer their readers practical tips on travelling and saw your post on global travelers and communication technology.

I’m sure you’re as aware as anyone that laptops and smartphones are now as much travel necessities as sunscreen and books have been in the past. To get online while travelling, people are increasingly taking advantage of Wi-Fi networks – at airports, hotels, even while in the air, as more and more planes offer passengers Wi-Fi connections in-flight.

Someone’s perfect vacation could be ruined in an instant by cyber-criminals looking to rob them of their personal information. Imagine stepping off the plane, ready to start your vacation, only to realize that between “here” and “there” your bank account has been wiped out and your credit card information stolen. While offering convenience and flexibility, these networks are also easy entry points for crooks looking to steal your money, account information and identity.

With summer in full swing and travel plans on the horizon for many of us, one of my clients, Norton from Symantec – a world leader in online security – has put together a list of five easy tips to help people keep safe while using wireless (Wi-Fi) connections while traveling. 

1.       Pay attention to your surroundings – Remember, if you can read his magazine, the guy sitting next to you on the plane can also read your laptop screen! Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean you’re not still in public

2.       Beware of “Evil Twins” – Some Wi-Fi networks can appear to be legitimate, but are NOT. Criminals can create “dummy” networks or Web sites that contain the name of the airline, hotel or airport, but actually will direct your information to their own computer. If you always use the access keys provided by the airline, hotel, or airport, you’ll be protected

3.       Always assume your Wi-Fi connections are being eavesdropped on – Never enter sensitive data (bank account information, social security numbers, etc.) when browsing the Web via a Wi-Fi network

4.       Set any Bluetooth devices to “hidden”, not “discoverable” – If you do not use the Bluetooth function, turn it off altogether

5.       Keep your security software current and active – Remember, mobile PCs are vulnerable to the same viruses, Trojans, and worms as your home computer. Norton Internet Security 2009, is an award-winning product that provides exceptional protection for wireless networks

Thanks, Gerritt. We appreciate your insight.  I know from personal experience that sometimes the desire to get online during a trip can make even the most security-conscious among us drop his or her guard.  I also know that airports, train stations, highway rest stops and hotel lobbies are prime areas for both cyber-criminals and the old fashioned kind to hang out.  Don’t let your need to get connected let you connect to the dark side.  When in doubt, buy a newspaper, a nice cup of coffee and just relax.  Hopefully, you are on vacation.

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New Blog Chronicles Travel Disasters

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 by Mike Hartung
ice-cruise

Titanic Award Nominee Coldest Pool on a Cruise Ship

Welcome to the neighborhood! There’s a new blog,  (www.titanicawards.com) that squeezes fun out of everyone’s worst travel experiences. It’s dedicated to highlighting disasters by handing out “Titanic Awards” to the places and people that produce misery for world travelers. There’s already video on the dangers of being a pedestrian in Cairo and a nominee for the Worst Hospital (in Ankara, Turkey).  Share your comments with them and drop us a line if you’re talking health.

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Time to Hit the Road

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 by Emily Moran

Summer is the perfect time to embark on that international road trip you’ve always wanted to take. The Wall Street Journal highlights six European road trips that could be on your list:  Italy, Wales, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Finland. Check out the post for route information, pictures, and sites to see.

When you’re traveling, don’t forget to practice safe driving – and part of safe driving is awareness. We’ve put together the map below to show different countries’ road safety based on data from the World Health Organization’s “Global Status Report on Road Safety.”  As you can see, the six countries mentioned have great records of road safety, but there are many others that aren’t as safe. Wherever you find yourself on the road this summer, use caution and be sure to learn the rules of the country. Check back soon for more road safety tips.

final-world-map-with-key-road-safety2

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You’re Grounded! (But you don’t have to be)

Friday, July 10th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

fearofflyingAn estimated 20% of adults have a fear of flying (aka aviophobia, aviatophobia and aerophobia), and the recent news regarding devastating airline crashes is causing more people to question the safety of air travel.  Is it safe to fly?  Is there a safer way to travel?  Should I just stay home and avoid the risk altogether?

As we have pointed out in recent posts, it is safe to fly.  Very safe, actually.   Air travel is the second-safest mode of mass transportation (elevators and escalators are the most safe but unless you’re Willy Wonka, an elevator isn’t an available mode of international travel).    

Should you stay home and avoid the risk of traveling?  That’s probably not a good option.  Even if you choose to avoid air travel for vacations, you probably can’t avoid it forever.  Your job may require you to travel or you may need to go visit a sick family member.

Fear of flying is a very real fear and is almost as common as the fear of public speaking.  Aviophobia can stem from other fears such as fear of tight spaces, crowds and heights.  There are real anxieties and conditions that cause the fear and there are also real treatments.  R. Reid Wilson, lead psychologist for American Airlines’ fear of flying program, surmises, “People frighten themselves by thinking of the possibility of a problem during a flight.  Instead, they must learn to think of the probability of a problem, which is extremely low.”

A recent CNN article suggests that overcoming the fear of flying starts with trusting your plane, your pilot and the aviation industry as a whole.

Dr. Martin Seif, a psychologist and creator of the Freedom to Fly program, urges those in his program to “Stay in the situation and out-bluff anxiety.”  The idea is that if you face your fear in small doses (i.e. spending time in an airport, watching planes take off and land, boarding a stationary plane) you will eventually be able to overcome them.

MSNBC offers Ten Tips for the Fearful Flier which are practical and reasonable. But if these tips don’t help, check out Fear of Flying or one of the many other safe flying programs available so that you’re transportation options are not limiting your vacation destinations.

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