Passport to Health

Interested in Reading New Interventions Out There?

The goal of this intervention is to reduce the number of food and water consumption related illness in travelers visiting developing countries through education about the foods they should avoid consuming and the dangers of drinking unsafe water.

You Can Never Over Pack!

"Should I pack this or that?" is a question that many travelers ask themselves over and over when preparing to go on a weekend getaway; just imagine the intensity of this question if you are going out of the country. Some important facts that individuals should know if they are currently under the care of a physician for any long-term or short-term medical treatment that includes a daily medication regimen. When packing make sure that you pack more medication than the alloted amount you will need for the duration of your trip. In the case of a diabetic traveler; make sure that you have extra diabetic supplies such as syringes, alcohol swabs, lancets, testing stripes, insulin packs or oral medication, medication log and sliding scale, glycogen and glucagan injection pen, and last but not least your medical alert bracelet or necklace. Be sure to carry an emergency index card with instructions on what to do in the event you can not speak. Also be mindful to watch the things that you eat and check your glucose levels before and after each meal to determine your medication intake.  

For more travel tips for the diabetic traveler please click on the title "you can never over pack"!

and also check out this informative video!!

The Basics - You Can Travel While Eating Smart and Drinking Safely!

It's possible to travel for many months in developing countries with few or no intestinal problems. To defend your stomach against upset, don't use ice, drink or brush your teeth with tap water in Developing countries. For a short trip (under a month), buy bottled water (making sure it is properly sealed). For longer trips, consider purchasing and carrying a water filter to avoid leaving a pile of un-recycled plastic. Additionally, consider having chlorine tablets on hand for particularly suspect water.

Eating food from street vendors is usually a bad idea (it often sits all day without refrigeration), as is ice cream (it may have melted and been re-frozen.) In the early weeks of travel in developing countries, avoid fresh salads unless you know that the restaurant washes the vegetables in treated water. Until your stomachs have adjusted to new bacteria, eat only well-cooked food and fruit that can peel. Slowly, add local dishes - eating in busy restaurants where the food hasn't been sitting around for long periods.

Traveling and Safely Breastfeeding

Deciding to travel internationally with your infant and concerned about continuing to breastfeeding? This need not be a reason to stop breastfeeding. Mothers may find traveling with a nursing child easier and safer. There is no need to supplement a nursing infant because they do not require any additional fluids, even in intense temperatures. While traveling, to ensure proper nutrition and hydration it is a good idea to feed your infant frequently and on demand. Breastfeeding also safeguards the infant from contaminated water. If the mother were to contract diarrhea she cannot pass it on to her infant. These contaminates do not pass through to the mother’s milk and thus the child is protected. Lastly, the scanning machines employed at airports have no effect on breastfeeding or the process of lactation. For more information, Le Leche League International has breastfeeding specialist all over the world (http://www.lalecheleague.org).

Are You a Safe Traveler? Take the Travel Safely Quiz!

Wondering if you're a safe traveler? Find out now! Click here to take a quiz online.

Malnutrition in Childen and the Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

In America and across the continents, malnutrition is a chief contributor to disease, illness, and death of infants and young children. Breastfeeding intervention and education is paramount to improving breastfeeding practices for any economically challenged country.
Traveling abroad and want to learn more about breastfeeding practices in other countries select this link.