You might still be asking, “What is preventive care?” But there’s a good chance you’ve already experienced it. If you’ve ever had bloodwork done to check your cholesterol or an annual scan, you’ve undergone preventive care.
Before relocating, it’s a good idea to schedule a routine wellness check with your doctor at home.
During this visit, please inform your doctor that you’re about to move or travel. That way, they will pay special attention to the factors of your health that could potentially change during that time.
The doctor will check:
- Your bloodwork
- Your medications
- Vaccination status
- Height, weight, and lifestyle changes
Your doctor is the most important person in helping you set yourself up for success. Make sure to inform your doctor about any potential health concerns before switching to your new international insurance plan, as it may not cover them as a provider.
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Organize your Prescription Medications
When consulting with your preventive healthcare team, please inform your doctors about any prescription medications you are currently taking. Traveling abroad with prescription medications can pose challenges.
Before you leave, ask your doctor for larger quantities to last, alternatives to look for in your destination country, and the types of prescription documentation you should bring.
Your doctor may also recommend seeking care from a new physician abroad. However, the status of your prescription medications is an important topic to discuss during preventive care conversations.
Skipping a dose of medication, accidentally doubling up, or taking a pill at the wrong time due to time differences can negatively impact your health.
Carefully plan travel with your doctor to properly adhere to your regimen and avoid an adverse medication-related event.
Prepare for Lifestyle Changes
You may be relocating from sunny California to cold Iceland, which means a significant lifestyle adjustment. It’s essential to consider how lifestyle choices affect your health.
Moving can significantly impact your mood, exercise routine, diet, and overall well-being. Work with a healthcare professional or discuss these changes with friends and family to plan accordingly.
For example, if you typically take a walk outside every morning in beautiful weather but you can’t do that in your new country, plan to find an area where you can stay active indoors.
If you follow a gluten-free diet at home, identify bakeries, restaurants, or other food stores that carry gluten-free grains to avoid nutritional deficits while away.
Beyond exercise and diet changes, factors such as sunlight can impact your mood and mental health. If you’re used to a lot more sun and daylight than your destination has to offer, think of investing in a special seasonal light for your new place.
These environmental factors can also take a toll on your mental health, which may be strained by leaving friends and family members at home.
If you have a history of anxiety, depression, or any other mental illness, mainly linked to change, take preventative measures to seek out a therapist or make other lifestyle updates, such as getting enough sleep and lowering stress levels.
Preventive care can help you maintain your mental health while traveling abroad, as you also focus on your physical well-being.
Schedule your Screenings
Something that might fall off your radar is an annual or periodic screening exam. Before leaving your home country, check if you’re due for any screening exams and schedule your appointments.
The types of screening exams you might undergo depend on your medical history, gender, age, and other risk factors. Ask your doctor if you’re unsure what you need.
Screening exams include:
- Colonoscopies
- Mammograms
- Low-dose chest CTs for patients at risk for lung cancer
- Annual skin checks with a dermatologist
- Pap smears
- Prostate exams
Screening exams can help catch a disease when you have more treatment options. Give yourself peace of mind and cross something off your to-do list by scheduling exams at home. That way, you know you’re healthy and in the clear before crossing international borders.
Stay Up to Date on Vaccinations
A crucial aspect of preventive care before moving abroad is ensuring your vaccinations are up to date. When you move to a new place, you’re unfamiliar with the environment and other conditions, putting you at potential risk for new illnesses.
Some injections, you might’ve gotten years ago as a child or teen, and they could still be effective. You should, however, still check in with your doctor to see if you’re due for anything else, especially depending on your destination’s risk factors.
Check to be sure you’ve received the following vaccines:
- Hep B for Hepatitis B
- DTP for tuberculosis, tetanus, and whooping cough
- MMR to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella
Depending on your personal health history and moving plans, your doctor may recommend other vaccines to keep you safe.
Your destination country may also have regulations in place requiring you to be vaccinated against a specific illness, such as COVID-19 or yellow fever.
Do your research and make sure checking on your vaccines is part of your preventive care.
While there’s no way to prevent every single type of illness or condition, you can take control over many factors of your health.
Through careful planning, organization, and visiting with preventive healthcare professionals at home, you can hopefully maintain or even improve your health after moving overseas.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Madeline Hay is an expert in digital communications with multi-sector experience, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and online education. She is currently Vice President of Health Digital at Edelman, specializing in thought leadership and strategic counsel.
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