title: [Health risks of long-distance air travel. Role of the general practitioner].
abstract: Air transport is seeing an increase in long-distance flights (12-16 hours average flight time), greater seating capacity, and a higher proportion of elderly, and hence more fragile, passengers. The French Academy of Medicine recommends that medical care be reinforced, particularly on long-distance flights, through the following measures: (i) passengers should be informed in advance of potential risks, through a Passenger's Guide, (ii) all future passengers should be encouraged to seek health advice and information from their general practitioner, (iii) flight crew members should receive training as "in-flight medical correspondents", and (iv) airlines and plane designers should reserve a "medical space" on the plane, equipped with appropriate medical materials.
authors.affiliation: L'Academie nationale de médecine.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bazex
authors.forename: Emmanuel Alain
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Cabanis
mesh_terms: D000401:Aircraft; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D011634:Public Health; D014195:Travel