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How to be ahealthy expat
Leaders in International Health Insurance
In association with
Moving to and living in another countrycan be one of the most rewarding lifeexperiences. However, living abroad doeshave a specific set of challenges for healthand well-being.
Although every country is different, this guide bringstogether a set of tips and advice to help expatseverywhere live healthier and happier lives abroad.
Cigna combines years of experience in private medical insurancewith an understanding of the service and customer care expatsreally need. Their premium cover allows the flexibility to create aninsurance plan to meet you and your family's specific needs.
To find out more and get an online quote: www.cignaglobal.com
Before you go
Go to your doctor for a check-up and make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations like Tetanus and Diphtheria.
Check what additional vaccinations you might need for thecountry you are going to. Bear in mind some vaccinationsrequire shots over a period of months, so if you have notcompleted the course in advance you will need to organise todo so after your arrival.
If you are going to be a longer-term resident, also considergetting vaccinations which may only be described in touristadvice as ‘optional’ or ‘for certain areas’.
Get a copy of your medical history. It is a good idea to scanand store it electronically, as well as having a copy on paper.
Visit your dentist.
If you wear glasses, get a spare pair.
If you wear contact lenses, get an extra supply.
If you take regular medication, get an extra supply and take acopy of your current prescription (you may need this atcustoms or airport security). Finding out the generic name forthe medicine is also useful, as it may be marketed under adifferent brand in another country.
If possible, take the contents of your home medicine cabinetwith you. If not, take medicines you regularly use for commoncomplaints.
As moving can be a stressful process, consider the following to avoidextra things on the to-do list in your first months in a new country:
In many cases, you will not necessarily have the right to healthcarein the country you are moving to. This can mean that if you do nothave cover in an emergency situation you may be required toimmediately pay for doctors/hospitals for public or private treatment.
It is highly recommended that you always have health insurancecover to avoid a situation where you may not be able to access themedical assistance you require. Even in some countries where youare eligible for treatment in the public system, you may find thequality of care does not meet the standards you are used to; planaccordingly.
Some countries (such as those which are members of the SchengenArea, the UAE and the US for some visa types) require proof ofhealth insurance before a visa will be issued.
If you are moving from one EU country to another, get the EHIC(European Health Insurance Card) - this will cover emergencytreatment for the period until you can get cover in the local healthsystem.
Make sure you have appropriate health cover
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It’s not just about physical health
Often, in the rush to get everything organised for a big move, peopledon’t pay enough attention to getting prepared psychologically. Hereare some ideas:
Make sure you, your partner and family are ready for themove and all committed to make it a success. Talk aboutworries and concerns; if necessary, agree what will happen ifit doesn’t go well and how you will measure success orfailure.
Make sure you dedicate time to spend with friends and familybefore you go, especially those you do not see as often asyou would like.
Get some background, start learning the language (ifapplicable), watch films and documentaries about the country,read its books and learn about its culture and history.
When you arrive
Make sure you learn the number to call the emergencyservices.
Find out where the nearest hospital(s) with an emergency unitis/are located and check that your health cover will provideyou access to treatment there.
Try to learn some basic words in the local language foremergencies, eg: help, call an ambulance/doctor, it is anemergency, etc.
If you are eligible for cover from the local health care system,start the paperwork as soon as possible. In many places,getting through the administrative steps can be complicated;so the sooner you start, the better.
If you do not speak the local language, consider finding adoctor who can speak your language or a language you arecomfortable in.
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Get acclimatized
Stress, jet-lag, plane journeys and a change of climate are a perfectrecipe for getting ill. If possible, try to allow yourself some extra sparetime at the start so you can get adjusted - without getting exhausted.
If going to a climate hotter than you are used to, it can take sometime to get used to it. Use common sense; keep hydrated, limitexposure to direct sun/heat, wear appropriate clothing and be carefulnot to physically over-exert yourself. It helps to talk to locals and payattention to local customs to get a better idea about how they dealwith the climate.
Take the time to get used to the new surroundings and people.Walking around and experiencing day-to-day life is a really importantpart of becoming comfortable in a new environment.
Eat and drink safely
The level of risk from food and water depends a lot on where yougoing to be living. It is normal to be a little paranoid about risk whenmoving to a new country, especially if you have young children.
As you adjust and talk to locals and other expats, you will get abetter idea of what to do and what to avoid. Never eating salad ormissing out on amazing street-food has to be balanced against thereal risks. Pretty much anyone who has travelled to differentcountries will have experienced ‘traveller’s tummy’ and this is verynormal when moving to a new country. Over time you will build upresistance to local bacteria.
Water
Is it OK to drink the tap water? It might have an unpleasant taste ornot as clear as at home, but safe to drink; so not much of a worry. Or,it may contain pathogens and be a real risk. It’s important to find outso you can change behaviours accordingly. Bear in mind that waterquality can vary greatly from place to place in less-developedcountries, so, if travelling around, it is worth asking.
If the tap water is potentially dangerous, you and your family mayneed to change personal hygiene (toothbrushing, showering/bathing,etc) and cooking habits. You will also need to be aware that food ordrinks may be contaminated in different ways; such as ice made with
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tap water or salads/other raw foods being washed in it.
Where there is a water risk, drink bottled water/commerciallyproduced drinks from bottles which are served to you sealed. Hotdrinks tend to be safe if the water has been boiled, but it is possiblethat the water has only been heated.
Food
The level of risk from food varies both by country as well as thecontext in the country. In even the least-developed countries, high-end hotels, restaurants and supermarkets are available in citieswhere the food is likely to only be as risky as at home.
Some foods are naturally more risky than others, such as:
Prepared dishes served at room temperature.
Those containing raw or partially cooked eggs orunpasteurised milk.
Raw, rare or undercooked meat or fish.
Unwashed or unpeeled fruit or vegetables.
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Disclaimer: This guide is not designed to and does not provide medical advice,professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any otherindividual. It provides general information for educational purposes only and isnot a substitute for medical or professional care. Just Landed is not liable orresponsible for any advice, actions or course of treatment you take based onthe information in this guide. If you believe you have a potential health problemyou should always immediately seek professional medical advice.
© 2017 Just Landed SL. This guide is published by Just Landed. All rightsreserved worldwide. This guide or any portion thereof may not be reproduced orused in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher.
"Cigna®" is a registered service mark of Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc.,licensed for use by Cigna Corporation and its subsidiaries. Photography usedby permission on Cigna European Services (UK) Limited.
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