Traveling to a developing country? Interesting health statistics
Developing is the new term for third world countries.
You're planning a trip to a developing country. You spend most of your pre-travel time worrying about infectious diseases and getting shots. Not a bad thing - getting your shots is important.
Studies looking at the causes of death of travelers from affluent countries to developing countries show that infectious diseases account for 1% of deaths. One percent. Around half of the deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes - mostly in the elderly.
Your biggest chance of death? Road traffic accidents.
And in the US, over 60% of RTAs occur in drivers. In the developing countries, drivers account for fewer than 10% of fatalities. Urban pedestrians alone account for about 65% of auto-related deaths in developing countries.
And no 911 - no operator standing by. "You hitchhike, taxi, walk, or crawl to the nearest medical facility, which, if you are in a rural area, may consist of little more than a well-intentioned village healer."
From The Adventurous Traveler's Guide to Health by Christopher Sandford, M.D.
Interesting book, so far. Informative, with a good sense of humor.
You're planning a trip to a developing country. You spend most of your pre-travel time worrying about infectious diseases and getting shots. Not a bad thing - getting your shots is important.
Studies looking at the causes of death of travelers from affluent countries to developing countries show that infectious diseases account for 1% of deaths. One percent. Around half of the deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes - mostly in the elderly.
Your biggest chance of death? Road traffic accidents.
And in the US, over 60% of RTAs occur in drivers. In the developing countries, drivers account for fewer than 10% of fatalities. Urban pedestrians alone account for about 65% of auto-related deaths in developing countries.
And no 911 - no operator standing by. "You hitchhike, taxi, walk, or crawl to the nearest medical facility, which, if you are in a rural area, may consist of little more than a well-intentioned village healer."
From The Adventurous Traveler's Guide to Health by Christopher Sandford, M.D.
Interesting book, so far. Informative, with a good sense of humor.