Health, Safety, and Insurance for Travelers and Expatriates Abroad

"Staying healthy is a key issue for all travelers. The more you learn about the health risks at your destination, the better you will be prepared to stay healthy. The resources listed below are intended to help you get updated information about health threats and concerns at your travel destination or home abroad, and learn about recommended vaccinations and common precautions. We have included government websites from a number of English-speaking countries, so that readers can get a variety of health threat assessments and recommendations for travel abroad." — Living Abroad editor Volker Poelzl

General Background

The Consular Information Sheets, compiled by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, part of the U.S. Department of State, www.state.gov, provide useful information for travelers and expatriates, such as Travel Warnings, Travel Publications (general travel advice), Consular Information Sheets, and much more. Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad lists doctors and hospitals abroad, as well as U.S.-based Air Ambulance companies. To be able to better assist you in an emergency, the U.S. State Dept. recommends that American citizens register with the nearest consulate or embassy during their stay abroad.

Centers for Disease Control, Traveler’s Health Home Page, www.cdc.gov/travel/, provides health information on specific destinations about outbreaks, diseases, vaccinations, water safety, and links to other related sites.

World Health Organization (WHO), www.who.int, provides International Travel and Health information about vaccination requirements, travel risks and precautions, accidents, and infectious diseases for most countries worldwide

More Travel Health Advice from English-Speaking Countries

The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in its Consular Affairs section, www.voyage.gc.ca, provides information and assistance for Canadians traveling abroad, including Country Profiles that provide resources, including maps, facts, statistics and social and cultural insights

IAMAT, The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers, www.iamat.org, is an international nonprofit organization that provides travelers with info about health risks, immunization requirements etc.; also provides an extensive worldwide physician and clinic guide for its members.

The Travel Doctor, www.tmvc.com.au, is an Medication and Vaccination Center for Travelers, with travel clinics in Australia and New Zealand, as well as international associates worldwide. The website provides vaccination advice, travel health advice, clinic details and current health alerts for overseas travel.

Travel Health Online, www.tripprep.com, compiled by Shoreline, Inc., provides useful health and safety information for about 220 countries (free for registered users).

The U. K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO), www.fco.gov.uk, provides Travel Advice by Country, including health information.

General Background

U.S. State Department, Overseas Security Advisory Council, www.osac.gov, offers a variety of free downloadable publications about security issues for Americans living abroad. Global Security News and Reports, www.osac.gov/News, published by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (see above) provide the latest news on security issues worldwide.

U.S. State Department, travel.state.gov and www.state.gov, provide a variety of links regarding travel warnings for specific countries, resources for Americans living in foreign countries, and much more. The perspective is from the U.S. Government, of course, and the sites are constantly being updated. To find out if any travel warnings have been issued recently for your destinations, check the Current Travel Warnings.

Library of Congress Country Studies, www.loc.gov/rr/international/portals.html has an extensive compilation of resource and links to research many elements of any country.

World Factbook, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html, compiled by he CIA, contains country profiles with basic information.

SmartTraveler.com, www.smartraveller.gov.au, published by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, www.dfat.gov.au, is the Australian Government's travel advisory and consular assistance service, with Travel Advisories for most countries worldwide.

The U. K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO), www.fco.gov.uk, provides Travel Advice by Country, including safety information.

Association for Safe International Road Travel (traffic fatalities statistics), www.asirt.org.

Sara´s Wish Foundation (safe travel tips and travel grants for women), www.saraswish.org.

Air Travel News

Air Transport Assn., www.air-transport.org.
Airsafe.com, www.airsafe.com.
Federal Aviation Administration, www.faa.gov.
Airwise News, news.airwise.com.

Humanitarian Concerns

Human Rights Watch, www.hrw.org.
Amnesty International, www.amnesty.org.
International Red Cross, www.ifrc.org.
United Nations Development Program, www.undp.org.

Information on Terrorism

Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, www.state.gov/s/ct/
Terrorism Research Center, www.terrorism.com.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fact Sheet: Terrorism, www.fema.gov/hazard/terrorism/index.shtm.

International Affairs and News

Council on Foreign Relations, www.cfr.org.
United Nations News, www.un.org/News/dh/latest/headline.html.
Newsdirectory.com (links to English online editions of newspapers and magazines worldwide - www.newsdirectory.com).

BPB Associates, www.bpbinsure.com/global.htm, offer their advice and brokerage services for medical and travel insurance.

Einternational Health, www.einternationalhealth.com. A fine source for on-line information and purchase of affordable short to long term travel medical insurance for US and Non-US citizens traveling, studying or working worldwide.

Expat Financial, www.expatfinancial.com, offers international health insurance and global life, travel and disability insurance to expatriates, their employers and local nationals around the world.

Global Travel Insurance, www.globaltravelinsurance.com, for every conceivable type of insurance covering your trip abroad.

Globalsurance, www.globalsurance.com, is an independent International medical, health insurance and travel insurance advisor. We offer free advice and quotations to expatriates of any nationality worldwide.

Global Health Insurance. Be prepared for your international travel with short-term or long-term major medical coverage, accident coverage, life insurance, or coverage with a "sports" rider. Many domestic plans have limited overseas benefits. Free on-line quote and on-line application submission. www.GlobalHealth-ins.com or 888-315-3393 Group rates available.

Healthcare International, healthcareinternational.com. An English company that provides international health insurance and travel insurance for expats and world travellers.

Highway to Health, www.highwaytohealth.com, provides list of doctors overseas, and other health tips for the traveler.

Insure and Travel, www.insureandtravel.com, creates custom cheap insurance policies for you.

International SOS is an international membership organization that provides short- and long-term travelers’ health insurance and country guides with specific health, vaccination and safety information; specializes in travel health services, medical assistance, hospital referrals and worldwide emergency assistance and evacuations for its corporate and individual members. U.S. Office: International SOS Assistance, Inc., 3600 Horizon Blvd., Ste. 300, Trevose, PA 19053; 215-942-8000 or 800-523-8930; www.internationalsos.com.

ISI, International Student Insurance, www.internationalstudentinsurance.com, provides the very best in international health and travel insurance whether studying or travelling for 10 days or 4 years, ISI will have a plan for you!

Medibroker, www.medibroker.com. Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and travel insurance broker offering a free quote service with advice, globally across the Internet. Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country not shown on their passports (expatriates). Healthcare insurance cover is offered for Europe, Rest of World or full worldwide including USA and Canada.

Travel Health 101, www.health-insurance-4-international-travelers.com, is a step-by-step guide to understanding travel health insurance plans.

Travel Insurance Quotes, www.travelinsurance-quotes.com, for both business and independent travel.

TravelersMed.com, www.travelersmed.com, provides short-term medical travel insurance.

TripPlus Travel Cards, www.tripplus.com, provides travel cards including 5 key elements to ensure a safe and convenient travel experience. All cards include travel insurance, ATM/Debit card, phone card functionality, 24/7 emergency and travel helpline and electronic document srorage. All cards are valid for 1 year and prices start at just $25!

Worldwide Insurance Solutions, www.buyGlobalMed.com. Medical Coverage goes where you go A full portfolio of international medical insurance issued as either short or long term coverages to either individuals/families or groups. These are affordable, comprehensive worldwide policies.