Be prepared for the health risks of every region you will visit.

In the rush to get tickets, update passports, arrange for lodging and get packed, it's easy to overlook the most important consideration of all, good health. The potential for illness and injury increases whenever we travel, and access to quality medicine and healthcare facilities is not always guaranteed in international locations. "Planning ahead will reduce your risk of travel-related health problems," says Dr. Brian Terry, a staff physician at The Healthy Traveler Clinic.

Terry suggests the following tips:

• Visit Your Doctor Two Months Before Traveling
  Discuss vaccinations, immunizations and medications and ask if there are any medicines you should bring with you.

• Show the Doctor Your itinerary
  Be as specific as possible about where you'll be going and what you'll be doing. You'll also need a list of all the vaccinations you've had.

• Consider Extra Insurance
  Evaluate your own medical insurance to determine how you'll be covered while you're traveling. If you need to, purchase additional medical insurance and medical evacuation insurance to protect you in the case of an emergency.

• Take a Basic First Aid Kit
  This kit should include bandages, aspirin, ibuprofen and probably an antibiotic to treat minor illnesses.

For more information on health and travel, check out the following organizations or websites:

Healthy Traveler
healthytraveler.com