International SOS announces the launch of its HealthMap 2013, a tool to help organisations understand the medical risks in the markets where they operate and identify how to pre-empt health threats to their employees. The HealthMap is now in its fourth year of publication.
The HealthMap 2013 indicates risk by ‘Low’, ‘Medium’, ‘Medium & High’, ‘High’ and ‘Extreme’ categories. Medical risk ratings1 provide an overview of the threats of infectious disease, hygiene and sanitation, accidents and the availability and quality of the local health infrastructure.
Risk ratings help indicate the level of preparation needed by travellers prior to departure and the degree of medical support they may need once in their destination.
In the HealthMap 2013, trends show in Syria and Libya that medical conditions have worsened. These countries are extreme risk destinations due to geopolitical uprisings and instability. Knock on effects to medical supplies and infrastructure as well as food and water safety are evident.
French Guiana has seen improvements in its health infrastructure and services; it’s now rated as a moderate medical risk destination. The risk of malaria and dengue fever still persist.
