Two studies in the U.S. have shown that children with “neglectful” parents are less active than those with engaged parents. The studies looked at different styles of parenting and whether they were associated with sedentary behaviour reports expathealth.org

Researchers found children who had parents who weren’t at home often and reported spending less time with their kids had, on average, 30 minutes of extra screen time per day. Children aged two to four were sitting for more than several hours per day. This was particularly worrying as at this age movement is essential for a child. These sedentary hours did not include naps or feeding times, only waking hours. Continue reading If you want active children you need to spend more time with them →

For travelers looking to be as healthy as they can be, the tighter smoking restrictions around the globe have been a blessing. Smoke-free airplanes, attractions and restaurants can make the experience far more enjoyable for those that don’t feel like being inundated with second hand smoke writes the healthytravelblog.com Continue reading Smoking Around The World →

Health Insurance magazine’s (HI-Mag.com) product review has awarded ALC Health PRIMA Premier plan an exceptional 8 out of 10, showing once again that ALC Health’s approach to creating international medical insurance programmes for expatriates and global citizens worldwide continues to set the standard for flexible cover at an affordable price. Continue reading ALC Health awarded high marks in Health Insurance Magazine product review →

Andy Lindley, a member of ALC Health’s Head Office client services team is cycling from Wembley Stadium Arch in  London (UK) to the Arc de Triumph in Paris (France) to raise funds for Help the Hospice between 14^th – 16^th June with a great start covering over 90 miles.

Leaving early morning at 5.30 Andy and his fellow riders  were thankfully ahead of the morning rush hour traffic with a fairly flat run through to their first stop in Chertsey. However this proved to lull everyone into a false sense of security as the remaining 66 miles were over and through the North/South downs on route to the coast, including the dreaded Beacon Hill.  Passing Haslemere in Surrey, Andy was tempted  to pop into one of ALC Health’s clients, Quin-Essence for a desperately needed rest but thankfully resisted doing so in fear of being asked to make another mid-term policy adjustment. Continue reading ALC Health’s Andy Lindley begins marathon bike ride from London to Paris →

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease has been reported from Edinburgh. Any traveler who develops fever, cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.

An outbreak of ciguatera food poisoning, caused by eating amberjack, has been reported from the Canary Islands. Travelers should avoid eating large reef fish, such as amberjack, barracuda, red snapper, grouper, and sea bass.

ALC Health News Blog

Hong Kong – The Air Pollution Index, which rates the likelihood of people getting ill due to air pollution recently reached 500 – the highest score possible.

The risk of suffering a second heart attack increases 40 percent if you live in an area with high air pollution. Air pollution, while being bad for the environment, is also linked to respiratory infections, lung cancer and heart disease. A study from the University of Tel Aviv has found pollution impacts cardiac events and stroke, and can cause repeated episodes over time writes Bryony Ashcroft at expathealth.org

The study found cardiac patients living in high pollution areas were over 40 percent more likely to have a second heart attack when compared to patients living in low pollution areas. The study aimed to determine the long term risks for heart attack patients living in polluted areas. Continue reading Cardiac risk doubles in heavily polluted areas →