If you are concerned about health conditions and diseases in foreign countries, the following web site addresses may be a source of helpful information. The first source of information should always be your primary physician, but these sites will provide current data on health conditions in countries throughout the world, detailing particular diseases and immunizations.

• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): has a 24-hour hot line on disease outbreaks and health recommendations http://www.cdc.gov/travel
  
  
• The U,S Department of State Bureau of Consumer Affairs: provides recorded information about conditions in various countries. 202-647-5225
  
  
• The World Health Organization’s International Travel and Health: lists vaccination requirements by country. http://www.who.int/english
  
• The Hall Health Travel Clinic. University of Washington: a quick guide for disease and immunization information. http://depts.washington.edu/hhtravel
  
• The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene: provides names of travel medicine clinics and doctors who offer travel health consultations. www.astmh.org/clinindex.html
  
  
• The American Medical Association: consumer web site (click on Healthy Traveler). http://www.ama-assn.org/consumer/gnrl.html
  
  

It is also recommended that when traveling abroad you carry a complete dossier of your health history. For those interested in obtaining a form, the size of a passport, which you can fill out, contact The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers at http://www.sentex.net~iamat or write to them at 417 Center St., Lewiston, NY 14092

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If any of our readers know of any other helpful sites for mature individuals who travel abroad, please let us know at rehabstrat@aol.com

FOR AN INFORMATIVE AND PERSONAL ARTICLE ON PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS WHEN SELECTING A NURSING HOME SEE OUR ARTICLE "HOW TO SELECT A NURSING HOME"

Harold Rubin, MS, ABD, CRC, Guest Lecturer
September 12, 2000

http://www.therubins.com

To e-mail: RehabStrat@aol.com or rubin@brainlink.com

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