Assessing the health risks of global business travelers

Dynamic changes in global infectious disease epidemiology increase the health risks of those who must travel globally for work and present challenges to occupational health nurses who are charged with fostering a healthy employee population. In addition, employees' health status and health behaviors may increase their risk of illness or injury while traveling in developing countries. As part of a population assessment, occupational health nurses within a multinational corporation surveyed employees to determine baseline data on international business travelers and to assess travel-related health risk behaviors. The survey contained 35 items and was administered anonymously via an external on-line link, resulting in a 56% response rate (n = 338) among those who travel for work. Preliminary data indicate that international business travelers (n = 215) engage in risky health behaviors, such as eating food from street vendors (30%) or being in crowded areas (99%). International business travelers, if ill while traveling, were more likely to seek assistance from a colleague (88%) then contact the travel health vendor (68%). While most international business travelers would visit the company's local occupational health clinic if ill or injured (84%), not all work locations have a clinic. Employees reported they would try to treat minor illnesses and injuries themselves (98%) and overall, would delay treatment until returning home (62%) to avoid treatment in a foreign country (62%). Additional survey data about risk reduction behaviors of international business travelers, such as pre-travel health assessment, health education and counseling, as well as immunizations will be included. Results of the survey inform occupational health nursing practice and the author(s) will present implications for travel health programming for internationally traveling employee populations.