Illness and injury presenting to a Norwegian travel insurance company's helpline

Abstract

Travel abroad is increasing, yet little attention has been paid to the use of health services by specific groups of travellers. This study describes the prevalence of illness, injury and subsequent changes to homeward bound travel and the costs for a group of Norwegian travellers. In 2003, 1787 cases were registered in the data base of the helpline of Norway's largest insurance company. This data were analyzed for prevalence of illness and injury according to age, gender, type of illness or injury, travel destination, type of travel, and the impact on return travel. Illness and injury accounted for 76.2% and 23.8% of the notifications, respectively. Travellers over the age of 60 accounted for 32.3% of the total number of illnesses. The illness reported most frequently was infection (20.3%), with the highest prevalence of infections occurring in Southern and Eastern Europe (10.2%). The results obtained in this study were compared with studies of other populations of European travellers, revealing that infectious diseases are the most prevalent illness. Differences were noted in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and the destinations where this occurred, and of fatality. The results of this study when compared with those of other European travellers revealed that sufficient difference occurs. As a consequence pre-departure information needs to target better specific population groups with respect to minimizing the risk of illness and injury. As well, the collection of data by the insurance company misses the opportunity of acquiring data of real value for future travellers, the insurance company and the medical profession. It is argued that there is a need to develop a comprehensive data base of greater use than available currently.