Archive for September, 2009

Staying Fit While Traveling [Redux] – Fitbit Tracker Ships Soon

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 by Andy Orr

healthy travel - runningBack in March I wrote about MapMyRun and RunKeeper, two web sites that have companion iPhone apps that help track some of your fitness activities.  I still recommend these but have come across a new product that just started filling its pre-orders and will ship new orders beginning October 31st.

It is called the Fitbit Tracker and is a small, wireless device that measures the quantity and quality of physical activities like walking, running and sleeping.    You may ask why you would want something else to lug around when your phone can already do some of these things.  Good question.  Sometimes a single-purpose device is better than an all-in-one.  The Fitbit is much smaller and lighter than a cell phone, its battery lasts over 10 days on a single charge, it has a cool OLED display, oh and did I mention that it tracks your sleep?

Paired with the Tracker is a well thought-out web site that wirelessly and automatically captures all of the data from the device and also allows one to enter in additional information like food consumed, other activities that the Tracker won’t track (don’t take this swimming with you), one’s vital statistics and personal goals.  It looks to have all the requisite social features as well so that one can share and compare with others a la financial data on Mint.

I am intrigued with learning more about my sleeping habits and how much I walk during the course of a normal day.  I will finally see if the long walks down the corridor at work are a net positive or negative — as they often lead to a colleague’s candy jar.  It is $99 on their site and will be available in retail stores in the future.  There are some competitors in this space, but I think its combination of size, functionality and price make it a winner.  If anyone is looking for what to get me for the upcoming holidays, look no further (unless, you are willing to go for the new Beatles Box Set, stereo version please).

As an aside, I saw that Fitbit founder James Park has been blogging throughout the design and production process.  They have uncovered and addressed a multitude of problems (all normal in the course of introducing a new product in my opinion) over the last year or so.  It is a great view of what it takes to get a low cost consumer electronics product out the door and recommended reading for anyone interested in the subject.  It is too bad other companies aren’t as transparent.  Can you imagine this from Apple?

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9/25/09 Update: Catching up on (not catching) H1N1

Friday, September 25th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

basichtbimage5The good news this week:   Europe is very close to approving an H1N1 vaccine, and the rapping doctor won the video contest run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

The not-so-good news comes from Sanjay Gupta (CNN) and Kate Dailey (Newsweek).  They both came down with H1N1 flu, but there is a bright side.  They both report that H1N1 is a lot like the regular flu, and they recovered fully within a few days.  Hopefully, this will help quell people’s fear of contracting it.  Here’s our wrap up: 

World Health Organization’s (WHO) updates on global H1N1 activity.

Two H1N1 vaccines have been recommended for approval in Europe.

Follow up to the video contest - the rapping doctor won!!! 

Sanjay Gupta gets H1N1.

Kate Dailey of Newsweek gets the cold shoulder from co-workers after contracting H1N1.  

What was your favorite story this week?

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Now There’s an Easy Way to Promote Health Worldwide When You Travel

Thursday, September 24th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

burmeseboy2“The biggest crisis the world is facing is the glaring inequalities in access to health care between the rich and the poor,” stated Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, Chairman of the Millennium Foundation, United Nations Under-Secretary and Special Advisor for Innovative Finance for Development.  As a result of the global financial crisis, small countries are suffering even more. 

In an effort to remedy the situation, the United Nations announced yesterday the launch of Massive Good, a program that will ask travelers to make a small, voluntary contribution when purchasing an airline ticket.  This option will be initially be available through any of the three major airline ticket distributors — Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre Holdings Corp.

As described by Philippe Douste-Blazy, who led the development of this product, “This new program will be the first global voluntary citizen contribution system, and it comes at a very important time.”

When the program rolls out in January, it will include participation from the U.S. and several European countries, including Britain, Germany, Spain and Switzerland.  Projected numbers indicate that this initiative could raise $1 billion in 4 years, with only 5% of the funds collected going towards administrative expenses.

The process will be simple; when travelers are booking a flight through participating travel sites (not directly through airlines) they will be asked if they want to contribute $2.00 towards the fund.  The funds collected will be directed to a group affiliated with the World Health Organization, UNITAID, whose mission is to “contribute to scaling up access to treatment for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, primarily for people in low-income countries, by leveraging price reductions for quality diagnostics and medicines and accelerating the pace at which these are made available.” 

The governments of Brazil, Chile, France, Norway and the United Kingdom launched UNITAID in September 2006 and pledged to fund the initiative through airline taxes and other contributions.  Currently there are 29 countries participating in this program (most are in Africa) that uses the donations to provide the equipment, vaccines and medicines necessary to reduce childhood mortality rates, improve maternal health and have a positive impact on the overall well-being of the general population in poverty-stricken nations.  It will be interesting to see how membership increases once this initiative expands in January with the availability of the voluntary contribution plan.  And if the program is well received, maybe the airlines themselves will add the necessary contribution engine to their sites.

Next year as you plan for your relaxing vacation, holiday visit or business trip, remember this message from Dr. Bernard Salome, Managing Director, Millennium Foundation, “Our message is quite simple:  you can help change the world one click at a time from where you are sitting and join a movement that will do MASSIVE GOOD.”

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Traveling Responsibly Part Two: If You Plan to Drive, Beware of Taking Your Drinking Habits with You

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 by Mike Hartung

So you’ve just enjoyed an exotic dinner including a liberal sampling of the local alcoholic libations (some of which are quite potent), and now it’s time to drive home. Be honest, do you have any idea what your blood alcohol level might be? Nearly 90% of the world’s countries have a national drunk-driving law on the books. Of course enforcement varies, but worrying about whether you’ll be stopped and booked is only part of the story. Think of the risk you pose to the local populace and yourself when you get behind the wheel. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the legal Breath Alcohol Concentration (or BAC) for driving be less than or equal to 0.05 g/dl, and 50% of countries have implemented these rules. In the U.S., the legal limit is 0.08.

Unfortunately, this disparity seems to predict the likelihood of road deaths attributable to alcohol.  The WHO’s recent report on road safety around the world places the U.S. among the top twenty countries where you are most likely to die on the road (or cause the death of someone else) if you’ve been drinking.

drunkdrivingchart

From this limited data set (not all countries are reporting), we can begin to conclude that American drinking habits generally pose significantly more risk than the locals’ do. Add this American propensity to drink and drive to the need to negotiate unfamiliar or substandard roads as well as signs in foreign languages, and Americans clearly represent a significant threat behind the wheel when far from home, unless they act responsibly.

It may be best to always let someone else drive if you plan to drink at all. In Brazil, the legal limit is just 0.02, and violators are hit with a $600 fine. For many people, just one drink puts you over this limit.

Have you had a drinking and driving incident abroad?

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9/18/09 Update: Catching up on (not catching) H1N1

Friday, September 18th, 2009 by Moira Bishop

basichtbimage4As speculation increases in the U.S. that the H1N1 vaccine may be available in the next few weeks, it’s a good time to focus on the facts, minimize your risk, consider the big picture and recognize that countries need to responsibly share the vaccine. 

World Health Organization’s (WHO) updates on global H1N1 activity.  

Do you know the basic facts on H1N1? Take the H1N1 Quiz: Test Your IQ (Influenza Quotient) from Time.com to find out.  

The Wall Street journal analyzes how the standard “rituals of greeting” may help spread H1N1.  

The bad news/good news on the vaccine is that the WHO is reporting that a substantially lesser quantity of vaccines will be produced than was previously expected; however, recent reports show that recipients will only need one dose (not two) to be adequately vaccinated.

The U.S., France and Britain are among nine countries that are pledging 10% of their H1N1 vaccine to other countries “in recognition that diseases know no borders.”  

What was your favorite story this week?

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The Safe and Healthy Traveler’s Guide to Packing: Part Six – Managing Migraines

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 by Maya Northen

migraineIf you are one of the 30 million plus Americans that suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating the sensitivity to light, sound, air pressure and movement can be.  Traveling with a migraine can be especially tricky, particularly when in a foreign country where the treatment options may not be the same as in the U.S. So while you are packing, consider the likelihood of needing to manage a migraine on your trip. 

Some migraines can be hormonal (mainly in women) and therefore the timing can be rather predictable. In these cases, try to avoid travel during times you are more likely to suffer a migraine. Though this isn’t fail-safe, it could help to decrease the chances.

For many, migraines can be quite unpredictable and impossible to prevent. However, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself in case you do get a migraine while traveling.

If you have a history of migraines, bring any medication (over the counter or prescription) that has worked for you in the past. Keep it in its original bottle — to avoid trouble at customs — and make sure you know the generic name in addition to the brand name. Medications often go by different brand names overseas, but if you know the generic name, the pharmacist or doctor can provide a similar drug if you need it. 

A search for triptans (the most effective class of drugs for the majority of migraine sufferers) on HTH Worldwide’s mPassport mobile application returned this information:

Imitrex is available in the US as tablets (25, 50, 100 mg), or as a nasal spray (5, 10, 20 mg/spray).  It is most commonly called Imigran in other countries, although other names include Suvalan (Australia), Sumitriptan (Canada), Sumaptan (Egypt), Imiject (France), Migratan or Suminat (India), Imitag (Ireland), Sumatridex (Israel), Sumitran (Malaysia, Singapore), Sumamigren (Poland), Migralevel Ultra (UK) and even Dan Tong Jing (guess which country sell it as this).

But medications are only part of the plan. Migraines can be triggered by lack of sleep and physical stress. Try to adjust to your host country’s sleep/wake cycle as quickly as possible.  If you are taking an overnight flight and have trouble sleeping, an over-the-counter sleep aid can help you get some rest and adjust more quickly.  Melatonin, a natural hormone produced by the pineal gland, can be taken in supplement form to help you adjust your internal clock more quickly.  Both melatonin and exposure to the natural light cycle of your destination are widely recommended for reducing jet lag which may often bring on a migraine.

If you have problems with noise and light during a migraine, bring ear plugs and an eye mask with you on your travels in an effort to lessen your exposure to these potential triggers. 

Certain foods may enhance a migraine in some people. If this is you, bring along plenty of snacks that don’t amplify your pain to ensure that you have some food options that won’t bother you.

Then there’s caffeine — this is tricky as some migraine remedies contain small amounts of caffeine to open your blood vessels. However, some studies show that caffeine can actually make a migraine worse. Based on your personal experience, you will either want to embrace or avoid caffeine. 

If you tend to get nauseous from migraines, ginger pills (or candies) can be helpful to relieve nausea and can be found in most health food stores.

Stay hydrated. It may be tempting to try that French wine or German lager, but it probably won’t be worth it! Water is the best thing to drink during a migraine, especially on a plane where people are already prone to dehydration.

Stay active. This can be tricky when battling a migraine, but research has shown that exercise can bring relief. You don’t have to go for a 10 mile jog, but exploring your destination on foot for a few hours may allow you to use sightseeing as therapy.

Finally, choose your destinations and seasons carefully, if possible. Some people feel their migraines worsen in humid, high pressure climates, as well as at high altitudes.

By the way, the 14th International Headache Congress that met in Philadelphia over the weekend heard Cindy McCain give the keynote address chronicling her battle with migraines and the global prevalence of this affliction.  She is campaigning for a cure of what is considered by the World Health Organization as “one of the most disabling medical disorders in existence.”

Fellow migraine sufferers, share your remedies!

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Looking Abroad to Begin the Healing of America

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 by Mike Hartung

thehealingofamerica1An important new contribution to the health care reform debate adds some much needed global perspective to the pervasive political rancor. Author T.R. Reid’s newly published book, The Healing of America, has been cited by reviewers as a series of serious and lucid insights into how medicine is practiced around the world and how different countries have crafted a mix of private and public resources to achieve broad if not universal coverage.

Reid sought treatment for a chronic shoulder ailment in ten different countries with ten different medical cultures and healthcare financing systems. The resulting medical advice spans a spectrum of treatment plans and personal choices. T.R. Reid has also begun fielding questions in the blogosphere. We think this global view is vital to surfacing policy alternatives that should be debated in Congress, and we hope our elected representatives can rise above the fray by taking the time to learn what Mr. Reid is reporting based on his worldwide experience with comparative healthcare.

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Catching up on (not catching) H1N1

Friday, September 11th, 2009 by Mike Hartung

basichtbimage3H1N1 news will be breaking fast over the coming weeks and months. HTB will try to capture some of the most important angles to keep you posted. 

Please tip us off to anything you think we are missing.

  • Global travel helps drive H1N1 transmission.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) maps the countries where H1N1 is impacting the health care services.  The latest update indicates that India, Mexico and parts of South America are experiencing moderate degrees of disruption.
  • H1N1 vaccine shown to be effective after one dose.
  • Health insurers to cover H1N1 vaccine?
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World Health Care Follow Up – The Perils of Custard Creams

Friday, September 11th, 2009 by Andy Orr
coffeebreak1In other timely world news, the Telegraph posted this stimulating bit, revealing that coffee and tea breaks can be hazardous to your health.  It also taught me about the all-important Biscuit Injury Threat Evaluation (BITE) measure.  I am not sure if this is peculiar to the UK, where tea time may make up a greater proportion of one’s time, or if it is a global phenomenon.  What is amazing to me is the variety of injuries occurring during these perilous breaks.  The research undertaken by Mindlab International on behalf of Rocky*, a chocolate biscuit bar,  produced this list of potential mishaps:
  • getting poked in the eye with a biscuit
  • falling off a chair
  • being bitten by an animal
  • getting stuck in wet concrete

It also found that Custard Creams are the riskiest of all biscuits.  From now on I will stick with Jaffa Cakes, the safest of all.

Have you been injured by a biscuit or, more seriously, have you experienced the health care system of the UK personally?  We would love to hear your stories.

*Not to be confused with a brand of Viagra® in India also called Rocky.  As TV viewers in the U.S. well-know,  this product carries its own unique risks.

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Comparative Health Care: What can Britain teach the U.S.?

Friday, September 11th, 2009 by Andy Orr

british_flag_and_planeHealthy travel usually requires some understanding of how health care systems work in different parts of the world.  This post is the first in a new series to help broaden our understanding by looking at practices outside the U.S.  Of course, the current health care reform efforts in the United States make this information more topical than usual and help to increase awareness about instructive differences between countries.

The United Kingdom is our location today.  A post recently appeared on the New England Journal of Medicine’s web site titled “British Lessons on Health Care Reform.”  This article tries to dispel myths about socialized medicine and the often maligned National Health Service (NHS) with facts about improvements that they have implemented in the last decade.  It specifically calls to attention the importance of having strong primary care physician practices in place as well as the pivotal role of NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), an organization “established to provide a unifying national framework to offer guidance in public health, new health technologies, and clinical practice.”

While nothing is perfect, it’s common sense that having good primary care doctors that know their patients and their family history should result in improved health care at a lower cost.  Good preventative care, better patient compliance with medications and other therapies and right-sizing treatment (no trips to the ER for something that can wait or be treated somewhere else) are all outcomes of a stronger primary care system.

NICE helps to determine best practices in a forum that includes all stakeholders and tries to find solutions to tough issues where costs are measured against quality of life issues.

How does this impact a world traveler visiting the U.K.?  Well, it should give you confidence that there is quality health care available in the country.  Sometimes that care can be free:

  • Treatment given in an accident and emergency department (excludes emergency treatment given elsewhere in the hospital)
  • Treatment given in a walk in center providing similar services to those of an accident and emergency department of a hospital
  • Treatment for certain communicable diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS where it is only the first diagnosis and connected counseling sessions that are charge free)
  • Compulsory psychiatric treatment
  • Family planning services

In most cases, the traveler will need to pay for treatment;  the NHS was established for UK residents.

Stay with us as we continue to explore health care systems around the globe.

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