By Gerica Alvarado, MD, FAAFP
Southwest Medical, part of Optum
Research from the Harris Poll has shown that 91% of Americans plan to travel in 2026 and nearly half (49%) intend to travel even more than they did in the previous year.[1]
If travel is on your bucket list this spring, now is time to get your wellness health check to make sure you are ready for some vacation fun away from home.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends making an appointment with a health care provider at least four to six weeks before leaving. That way, they can make sure travelers are ready to leave with destination-specific vaccines, medicines and health information.[2]
The CDC also suggests that travelers consult with their doctor on the following items to prepare for their travel adventure[3]:
- Any chronic medical conditions such as hypertension and asthma.
- All destinations that they will be visiting.
- The types of accommodations where they will be staying, such as hotels, hostels, short-term rentals, boats, camping etc.
- The purpose of their trip, such as visiting friends and relatives, business, or adventure travel.
- Timing and length of the trip.
- Planned activities, such as climbing at high altitudes, scuba diving, humanitarian aid work, or taking cruises
- All medications that they are taking.
Family medicine physicians recommend that travelers bring their vaccination records and medical history with them when they travel. They can make sure that travelers have the details from their medical records available before leaving for vacation.
For more destination-specific travel tips, travelers can visit the CDC destination pages at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.
Tips for Cruises
According to Cleveland Research Company, travelers booking cruise vacations are running at, or above, expectations for the spring and summer months this year.[4]
For this type of travel, the CDC urges travelers to wash their hands regularly because common diseases, such as norovirus, can spread quickly among older passengers on cruise ships. They also recommend that if a traveler feels sick during the voyage they should report to the ship’s medical facility and follow their recommendations.[5]
Airline Passenger Tips
For air travel, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) suggests that travelers inquire about priority boarding if they need a bit more time getting on the plane. They should also notify the airline if they have a chronic condition that has dietary restrictions for long-haul airline meal planning.[6]
It’s also important to drink plenty of water on the plane as an airplane cabin at high altitudes has much less humidity than a normal environment.[7] Additionally, to avoid blood clots, travelers should walk in the aisle, especially if they have a family history or at high risk for this condition.[8]
With the spring and summer peak travel seasons coming soon, the time is now to take a couple of steps to ensure that you enjoy your vacation without health concerns and create new exciting memories that will last a lifetime.
[1]https://theharrispoll.com/briefs/more-than-a-getaway-new-data-reveals-a-deeper-purpose-for-travel-in-2026/
[2]https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/senior-citizens
[3]https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/senior-citizens
[4]https://portal.clevelandresearch.com/download/Cruise%2520update%2520Jan%2520%2726.pdf?uid=366a42d1-a7b0-42ef-af25-cbd52d4a6864&docRef=deaf3c52-bfa8-4605-9cff-77c645ce452a&jobRef=ca2a8762-5da4-481b-a01a-26a1ce5d91a4&verifyid=d0574e66-a9ef-4280-adc6-2df411baad8b
[5]https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/senior-citizens
[6]https://www.ncoa.org/article/safe-travel-tips-for-older-adults/
[7]https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr209.pdf
[8]https://www.ncoa.org/article/safe-travel-tips-for-older-adults/
