BB Fact Sheet – Travel – Health

Prevention is Better than Cure

• Your holiday is important and so is your health. No negotiation

• Take a moment to consider how your health will impact your trip, and take into consideration factors that may affect this such as the quality of your Travel Insurance, destination countries hygiene & infection control, likely gaps in medical supplies, health care systems etc.

• See your local doctor for information about what you can do to improve your chances of remaining well while on holiday.

• Consider making a checklist of things to take and do, include a travel First Aid Kit, and find out overseas laws on travelling with medicines.

Baby Boomers and Healthy Travel

• Over 20,000 cases of medical emergencies are dealt with by the Australian Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade each year, many of whom are Baby Boomers.

• For Baby Boomers to keep in the best possible shape, and enjoy their holiday to the full, particular attention needs to be taken to maximise health before, during, and after travel.  

What can I do?

• Take out adequate Travel Insurance, and be aware that uninsured travellers are held personally liable for covering any medical and associated costs they incur. Overseas medical costs are not covered by Medicare.

• Make an appointment with your doctor for a basic health check-up at least 6-8 weeks before you depart, to find out if any vaccinations are required, and to update your prescriptions required for your trip.

• When planning to travel overseas with medicine, including over-the-counter or private prescription medications, it is important that you talk to your doctor and discuss the medicine you will need, carry a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking, and stating that it is for your own personal use, leave the medicine in its original packaging so it is clearly labeled with your own name and dosage instructions. Contact the countries Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to check what medicines are legal in the countries you are visiting.

• Make a Health checklist so that you are prepared, and can enjoy your holiday.

Please contact your Travel Insurer first.    

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre -   +61 2 6261 3305 or

                                                             - 1300 555 135 (local call cost within Australia). 

Australia - http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/travelwell.html

               -  http://www.traveldoctor.com.au/

Travel Insurance Tips    - http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/travel_insurance

Destination Fact Sheets - http://www.traveldoctor.com.au/dfactsheets

Health Alerts (by destination) - http://www.traveldoctor.com.au/healthalerts

Australians Hospitalised or Missing Overseas - http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/hospitalisedormissing

Immunise Australia      - http://www.immunise.health.gov.au

Yellow Fever Program -  http://www.health.gov.au/internet/health-factsheets-yellow

HIV & AIDS                   - http://www.who.int/topics/hiv_aids/en/

Avian Flu Facts           - http://www.avianinfluenza.com.au/

DVT & In-flight Health  - Qantas & Virgin Blue Healthy Travelling Tips

- http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/inTheAir/yourHealthInflight

- http://virginblue.com.au/Personal/Flightinfo/Inflighthealth/

- http://www.travellingwell.com.au/traveltips

Travel Medical Kit Checklist                 - http://www.mydr.com.au/travel-medical-kit-checklist

Travel Checklist for Type 1. Diabetes -  http://www.diabetesnsw.com.au/Travel_checklist_Type_1.pdf

Please contact your local insurer.

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This article was created by Elisabeth Watkins for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's leading website for Baby Boomers. Sources include the Australian Government & www.traveldoctor.com.au. Babyboomers.com.au is a resource to help people find information and services on Health, Money, Travel & Recreation.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual medical advice. Please see your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health.

Copyright 2009 Babyboomers Pty Ltd. All rights Reserved.