MedAire, an International SOS company, has released Health Risk Map 2015, a tool to help organizations better understand the medical risks in the markets where they operate.

Now in its sixth year, the Health Risk Map is used by flight departments to mitigate risks to their executives, passengers and crew during their global travels.

Health Risk Map 2015 indicates country-specific health risk by the following categories: ‘Low’, ‘Medium’, ‘High’, ’Extreme’ and ‘Large Rapidly Developing Countries’.

“The Health Risk Map provides a quick overview of health risks where a company may be traveling,” said Dr. Paulo Alves, Medical Director for Aviation Health at MedAire. “Travelers are encouraged to consult the Health Risk Map prior to travel to understand what risks there may be to passengers and crew. With greater risk, more preparation should be made and more precautions taken.”

What’s new

• Foreign investment and new private hospitals lead to improved facilities in some parts of Africa.
• Countries with improvements moving to a lower risk category include Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mongolia, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa.
• New ‘Large Rapidly Developing Countries’ category.

The new ‘Large Rapidly Developing Countries’ category includes nations where there is a vast difference between the high quality medical care available in the major cities and the lower level of care generally available throughout the rest of the country.

“What’s important to note is that the medical risk within a country can vary widely,” said Dr. Alves. “Even major cities may have contrasting levels of care, with high-quality medical centers not too far from poorly resourced facilities.”

The health risk ratings are established by MedAire’s parent company, International SOS. International SOS is unique in its ability to provide the health risk ratings because of the insight provided from its real-world experience and global reach of its 1200 doctors in 27 assistance centers, 53 regional clinics, and more than 850 medical remote and offshore sites.

Despite the low risk ratings of some countries, Dr. Alves warns, “travelers should not discount pre-travel preparation when traveling to countries with a low medical risk with high-quality medical services, as travelers may need assistance with language and cultural differences as well as payment facilitation.”

To further prepare business and general aviation clients, including their crewmembers and passengers, MedAire provides 24/7/365 medical and travel safety services both in flight and at destination. MedAire’s travel safety solution includes access to a network of medical, security and logistics personnel formedical advice and assistance around the world.

The Health Risk Map content is also available through the MedAire Trip Ready app, along with additional features like real-time medical alerts and Aviation Travel Security Briefs that further detail potential medical risks at destination.

Learn more about the Health Risk Map and view the map online at www.medaire.com/healthmap2015. Download MedAire’s Trip Ready app at www.medaire.com/tripready