Wherever you are you are moving overseas, it’s important to be informed regarding any health epidemics or other health-related concerns before relocating abroad. The U.S. usually provides information about any health concerns you need to know through Homeland Security and State Department advisories.
Here are some tips to keep you and your family healthy when you move overseas:
• Make sure you and every family member has a full medical check-up before departing. This needs to be done months in advance to ensure if someone has an underlying illness, it’s detected now before leaving. Also, this should include dental check-ups as well.
• After seeing your physician and dentist, make sure to make several copies of the medical records of each family member. The records almost certainly will be required by schools and will ease the transition to a new physician. Also, if any one of your family members has a chronic or special health condition, it should be determined whether it can be adequately treated in your new country. You can contact your consulate and they should be able to let you know what health services are provided at your new destination.
• It’s good to make a little wristband or medical bracelet for a family member that is allergic to certain drugs, has allergies, or any other type of health issue so that if he or she is treated at a clinic or hospital for an emergency, health technicians will know. Make sure to get a list of all of your family’s medicines and their generic names so an overseas pharmacist can provide something equivalent.
• English is widely spoken in many countries, but it is important that you translate the medical information to the language of your destination. This will ensure you will be given the correct and right dosages of the medicines you or your family take.
Always prepare for the unexpected so you and your family will be fully prepared if a minor or major health concern happens at your new overseas home.

Safe moving!