Expat workers in Gulf countries are increasingly limited in their options for affordable health care. Labourers from countries such as India are particularly affected as governments focus more on the local population. Dr Azad Moopen, speaking at the Global Healthcare Summit in Kochi, Kerala, warned that the GCC countries are facing huge challenges in accessibility as there aren’t enough health care facilities for expat workers. Continue reading Affordable health care challenges for expats living and working in the Middle East →

The activity of seasonal influenza continues to rise in some countries of Europe, especially western Europe. Experts advise there is still time to protect yourself and those around you by getting the flu vaccination. France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway have all reported a medium intensity of flu transmission. However, influenza was reported to be widespread geographically by five countries – Belgium, Denmark, France, Norway and England. Nine countries have reported increasing trends. Continue reading Increase in seasonal flu across Europe →

Despite plenty of uncertainty around the globe, 2012 has been a robust year for travel, with more than one billion people crossing international borders this year.  It seems the era of the staycation is over. Continue reading Healthy Travel Trends for 2013 →

60% of business travelers visit “high risk” destinations each year, according to a survey from travel, medical and security assistance firm International SOS. 16% travel to high risk destinations five or more times in a single year writes expathealth.org Continue reading Business travelers want better local healthcare information →

With talk of emerging markets and BRIC countries, more UK businesses are looking to expand abroad than ever before. Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show 127,000 Brits left the UK for a definite job in the year ending March 2012, compared to 108,000 the previous year. Continue reading Make expat health insurance your New Year’s resolution →

More and more experts are using the weather to help predict disease patterns. In a recent study, two scientists claimed they could predict when New York City’s flu season would peak using a computer model of weather data reports expathealth.org. With some fine-tuning these types of predictions could be used to maximise vaccination and disease prevention programmes. Experts do acknowledge, however, that human behaviour plays a large part in affecting disease outbreaks. Continue reading Weather patterns could help predict disease outbreaks →

For air-travellers there appear to be many annoyances, particularly during the crowded holiday period. Nearly half of people (39%) surveyed said a kicking or screaming baby near them on the flight would be their top annoyance. Nearly a fifth (17%) of people said watching other passengers squash their hand luggage bothers them the most. Sitting next to someone who gets up multiple times to use the toilet and loud music coming from a neighbour’s headphones came third and fourth on the list of things most likely to annoy people. Continue reading Biggest travel irritations this holiday season →

The Ministry of Health in Uganda reported 7 cases (6 confirmed, 1 probable)  with Ebola haemorrhagic fever in Luweero and Kampala districts.  Of these cases, 4 died. Field teams continue to investigate cases alerted to them from the communities.  The major challenge faced in some communities is the belief that witch-craft and not Ebola was the cause of deaths, despite ongoing  intensive awareness campaigns.  Social mobilization teams are working closely with traditional healers and religious leaders to raise awareness on prevention and control of the disease. Continue reading Ebola in Uganda →

As of 4 December, a total of 732 suspected cases of yellow fever, including 165 deaths have been reported in 33 out of 64 localities in Darfur.  Laboratory results have confirmed yellow fever by IgM ELISA test and PCR in 40 clinical samples. Tests were conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory in Khartoum, with support from the US Naval Medical Unit 3 (NAMRU-3), WHO Collaborating Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases. Continue reading Yellow fever in Sudan update →

A new study has shown exercise can make middle-aged people not onlyhealthier but also smarter. The data from the Montreal Heart Institute comes from participants who all had a BMI between 28 and 31 (overweight) – someone with a BMI of over 30 is considered obese writes expathealth.org Continue reading What links the Cayman Islands, sport and brainpower? →