By: Colleen Van Ham, President & CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Illinois & Northwest Indiana
Summer is here and for many in Illinois, that means getting out of town to escape the heat. According to Airlines for America, air travel is expected to hit its highest level in six years this summer, with about 210 million passengers expected fly U.S. airlines between June 1 and August 31. That includes nearly 30 million travelers on international flights. Here are tips to make sure your summer vacation goes off without a health-related hitch:
Think ahead: If you have chronic health issues, make sure you get a checkup before you leave and let your physician know where you are planning to travel. Before you go, make sure you have enough medication to last the whole trip or plan where you can go to refill your prescription. The U.S. State Department recommends carrying a letter from your physician describing any medical condition and any prescription medications, including the label name of any prescribed drugs.
Consider destination-specific health risks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you get any disease-specific vaccines, medications or medical advice for international travel at least four to six weeks in advance of your trip. Doing so allows any vaccines you may need to have time to take effect (and some vaccines require more than one dose). To find a local care provider who can help you, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/find-clinic.
Download health apps: Mobile health apps for smartphones and tablets are one of the fastest-growing segments of app development, giving people better access to health care information when they’re on the go. Mobile apps, such as UnitedHealthcare’s Health4Me app, make it easier to contact a registered nurse, download your insurance ID card and locate nearby physicians or emergency rooms.
Pack a travel health kit: In addition to any prescription medications, make sure to pack a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain reliever/anti-inflammatories, motion sickness medication and bug repellent.
