Start the Conversation
The reality is that many areas of the world still heavily discriminate against the LGBTQ community and criminalize expressions of sexuality. Travel and risk managers do not necessarily need to know the sexual preferences or sexual identities of their travelers to counsel them about the cultural and societal attitudes present at their destinations. Presenting a comprehensive overview in a matter-of-fact manner can side-step the need to pry into a person’s personal life while also setting up an environment conducive to deeper conversations and questions as necessary.
Understand LGBTQ Health Risks
Healthcare options may be especially limited for transgender individuals, who may need specialty medical care at their destination. These individuals may struggle to find needed medications or obtain a refill should they run out. Anti-hormone transition drugs suppress levels of testosterone to allow estrogens to take prominence but may have adverse effects on the heart. LGBTQ individuals may encounter challenges finding medical care and may be dissuaded from providing a complete medical history in areas that present a high threat for LGBTQ patients.
Most countries restrict the amount of medication travelers can enter with according to the length of the stay. In many instances, a maximum of 90 days of prescription medication may cross borders.
For expatriates, having a doctor’s note on letterhead, with the patient’s full name, medication name, dosage, and reason are required for refills and importation of prescription medication to many countries. The reason (diagnosis) may be especially challenging if traveling to a conservative country with a known low tolerance for the LGBTQ community and may present security challenges.
Surgery of any kind increases the risk of blood clots during flight. LGBTQ patients who have recently undergone surgical procedures should ensure adequate time between surgeries and flights. Some hormone therapies (especially estrogens) also place patients at risk for deep venous thromboses (DVT): blood clots that form in the legs and may become life-threatening if the clot or part of the clot travels to the lungs.
In more socially liberal countries, unconscious bias from healthcare workers may lead to substandard care. LGBTQ individuals need to be prepared to encounter these attitudes and be able to advocate for their care and proper treatment. Risk managers and travelers should research cultural tolerances and potential biases to determine if an advanced arrangement with a “preferred” treatment center is necessary.
Key Takeaways
Ensuring the safety of your LGBTQ personnel and students starts with a conversation. Transgender travelers require a duty-of-care policy that helps them prepare for the challenges they may face abroad. Ensuring the safety and health of these unique travelers is a corporate responsibility.
About WorldAware
WorldAware provides intelligence-driven, integrated risk management solutions that enable multinational organizations to operate globally with confidence. WorldAware’s end-to-end tailored solutions, integrated world-class threat intelligence, innovative technology, and response services help organizations mitigate risk and protect their people, assets, and reputations.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50 percent of international travelers become ill during their trips to developing countries; some of these illnesses are preventable. Many people are unaware of their vaccine status or new vaccines that have recently been developed. Lacking cognizance of either factor can put individuals at risk when they set out for their international travel.
Travel Risks and Immunizations
A person who is vulnerable to a vaccine-preventable disease runs the risk of transmitting it to another vulnerable person when entering a new area. It’s imperative that travelers research which vaccines are recommended or mandatory prior to traveling. In 2018, it is expected that pockets of diseases such as measles, mumps, pertussis, and diphtheria will emerge in areas where these diseases had seen previous control.
The recommended immunizations for all global travelers are as follows:
Depending on your destination, health authorities may recommend other vaccines, in addition to the above list. Keep in mind that some recommended vaccines require multiple doses administered over time; pre-travel planning is imperative. Scheduling a pre-travel consultation with a medical professional who understands the vaccination rate and current trends in outbreaks can help prevent the inadvertent spread of diseases.
2018 Health Trends to Watch
In the first few months of 2018, health authorities have noted a marked increase in the global number of measles cases. Even areas with traditionally high vaccination rates have seen some communities experience declining immunization in the past several decades due to religious reasons or misinformation about vaccine safety. This trend of declining vaccination rates is alarming, as areas that had seen nearly complete eradication of measles are experiencing outbreaks once again. The cost for direct and indirect illness care, care for sick children, lost productivity, and disease-associated complications can be substantial. Travelers should know their immunization status to prevent becoming victims during an unexpected outbreak of measles or other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccinations are important to protect individual human capital, as well as for broader, continued corporate productivity. Organizations can facilitate getting appropriate immunizations by identifying in advance those who are slated to travel and getting them to the proper healthcare professional to ensure they receive appropriate vaccinations. Finally, check with the CDC and/or state department for information on required vaccines and documentation before traveling abroad.
To stay up to date on health trends and threats around the globe, iJET’s Intel Central Health Intelligence subscription provides up-to-date trends on infectious disease and other concerns, as well as location-based health information and disease fact sheets.
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