Seeking Health Care Abroad

Health-Seeking Travel

Travelling abroad for the purpose of improving one's physical, mental, and spiritual well-being is increasing in popularity. Such "health tourism" includes, but is not limited to, balneotherapy (treatment by baths), thalassotherapy (treatment based on the use of sea water), religious pilgrimages, and elective surgeries, including cosmetic surgery and organ transplantation.

Therapies that are considered "natural" are not without hazards. Mineral and "holy" waters may not be potable by U.S. standards and have been sources of infectious diseases. Moreover, pilgrims are subject to the same destination-associated risks as other travellers (e.g., heat and altitude-associated illnesses), but many may be travelling in ill-health. Outbreaks of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis have occurred in Hajj pilgrims, leading to the recommendation that all pilgrims participating in the Hajj be immunised before their departure (see Chapter 4, Meningococcal Disease section). With the shift in the timing of the Hajj to winter months, pilgrims may also be at increased risk for respiratory tract infections, such as influenza and adenovirus.

Furthermore, CDC has received a number of reports of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections after elective cosmetic surgery abroad. "Transplant Tourism" has been increasing as the number of available organs, especially kidneys, is decreasing relative to the increasing demand. A number of international transplantation rings have been discovered, in which people from developing countries are paid for donating organs. This practice is considered legal in only a few countries. Recently the World Health Assembly met to discuss the challenges of transplantation and to address international transplantation guidelines. It encouraged countries to protect those most vulnerable to such exploitation, but there is still no international consensus on incentives for organ donation. Regardless of the reason, people seeking health care abroad should understand that medical systems outside the United States may operate differently from those in the United States and are not subject to the same rules and regulations. Those who are considering seeking health care outside the United States should consult with their local physician before travelling.

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