The Burden of Illness in International Travelers

Abstract

In 2004, 763 million people crossed international borders, reflecting an increase of 73 percent over the course of 15 years.¹ International travel has rebounded since the attacks of September 11, 2001, and is steadily increasing despite a variety of global health crises, the threat of terrorism, and the war in Iraq. Nearly 55 percent of travelers are vacationing, and about 15 percent are conducting business, but a growing number are visiting friends and relatives. Typically, such travelers were born in a resource-poor country, now live in a resource-rich country, and are returning to their country of birth to visit. Moreover, . . .