Fatal Injuries of US Citizens Abroad

Abstract

Injuries occur at a higher proportion abroad than in the United States. Motor vehicle crash and drowning fatalities are of particular concern. Improved data quality and surveillance of deaths would help government agencies create more evidence-based country advisories.

Injury deaths among Finnish residents travelling abroad

“…No accurate international surveillance data exist on injury and natural deaths among travellers abroad (Bauer, Ko¨rmer, & Sector, 2005;Sniezek & Smith, 1991). National databases commonly do not discriminate foreign visitors and residents or exclude non-residents from the records whereas databases that include country's nationals who die abroad are generally limited (Baker, Hargarten, & Guptill, 1992;Cornall et al, 2005;Guse et al, 2007;MacPherson et al, 2000).…”

“…Health advices for tourists and business travellers have traditionally focused on the prevention of infectious diseases, but the data on natural deaths and fatal injuries occurring abroad are limited (Ball & Machin, 2006;Guse, Corte´s, Hargarten, & Hennes, 2007). No accurate international surveillance data exist on injury and natural deaths among travellers abroad (Bauer, Ko¨rmer, & Sector, 2005;Sniezek & Smith, 1991).…”

Preparing Families With Children for International Travel

“…Another contributing factor may be that the travel industry often encourages consumption of alcohol around the recreational water. 28 Travelers need to be made aware of these risks, particularly when they are traveling with children ( Fig. 3).…”

Planning for Travel With Children in the Modern World

“…The major source of pediatric traveler mortality is actually due to both motor vehicle accidents and drowning, both of which are disproportionately high when compared to adults. 9 Some parents may have concerns whether it is safe to fly with young infants. A recent review of serious inflight emergencies resulting in consults to a ground based medical support center found that passengers under 18 years of age account for 9.3% of the total inflight emergencies with a rate of 2.24 events per 1 million passengers.…”