Preparation for travel

The primary objective of medical care for travellers is to prevent health problems before they occur. Pre-travel efforts to accomplish this have traditionally focused mainly upon immunization and medication. While these are of undoubted importance, adequate attention also needs to be directed at information and education. Government, the travel industry, the health care professions, and the media have a vital role to play in ensuring that appropriate information is widely disseminated and is made as accessible as possible. This cannot be a passive process, however, and travellers themselves have a clear responsibility to make the most of available resources, to inform themselves about potential hazards at their intended destination, and to observe the necessary precautions.