June 04, 2010 02:18am EST 

Whether you are traveling for pleasure, business, or any other reason, it is important to stay aware and educated about your destination. For example, if you must travel to China for a business trip (and trust me, many people will), staying healthy will require understanding the specific intricacies of health in the country.
Before leaving for another country, you should work to familiarize yourself with conditions at your destination that may affect your health, including high altitude, pollution, hospitals, or availability of prescription drugs. Some foreign hospitals may differ from those in the United States in their quality of health care, hospital staff, and hospital bill payment options (many foreign hospitals will require payment upfront for emergency medical services).
If you are planning to travel to another country, keep these 5 tips in mind:
1. Do your research
Before leaving, do research about the level of health care, hospitals, and transportation needs of your destination. Plan ahead for transportation from the airport and any possible trips to a hospital. Consider finding a travel document that will have the pertinent information available at hand.
2. Get vaccinated!
Getting vaccinated before you begin traveling can turn out to be a preventive measure that ends up saving your life. Consult with your family physician or visit your local hospital or clinic to get vaccines. If your research tells you that your destination has pandemic influenza, get a flu vaccine. Also ask your physician about disease prevention. Consider visiting the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel for general guidance on health precautions, such as safe food and water or disease prevention.
3. Ensure that you are insured
Your medical insurance may not be valid at an international hospital. Hospitals across seas may require purchasing a short-term policy that specifically cover travel. Many travel agents and companies will offer insurance plans that will cover medical expenses, including medical evacuations that may cost upwards of $50,000.
4. Don’t forget your medication!
Local or hospital pharmacies may be limited or non-existent at your destination, so it is important to bring necessary prescription medicine — especially for pre-existing medical conditions. If you do not have enough medicine, bring a letter from your physician describing your medical condition and any prescription medications. If you are bringing your medication abroad, make sure all of the medication is in its original packaging and clearly labeled.
5. Keep in contact with the U.S. counsular office
In the case of injury or serious illnesses, a U.S. counsular officer can assist you in locating hospitals or medical services, as well as contacting your friends or family from home. They can also assist in transferring funds from the United States. If you are injured or ill, do not hesitate to visit the local hospital for medical care. After all, this is an article with tips on how to stay healthy — not on how to save money and stay comfortable in your hotel room!