title: Global TravEpiNet: a national consortium of clinics providing care to international travelers--analysis of demographic characteristics, travel destinations, and pretravel healthcare of high-risk US international travelers, 2009-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  International travel poses a risk of destination-specific illness and may contribute to the global spread of infectious diseases. Despite this, little is known about the health characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers, particularly those at higher risk of travel-associated illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  We formed a national consortium (Global TravEpiNet) of 18 US clinics registered to administer yellow fever vaccination. We collected data regarding demographic and health characteristics, destinations, purpose of travel, and pretravel healthcare from 13235 international travelers who sought pretravel consultation at these sites from January 2009 through January 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The destinations and itineraries of Global TravEpiNet travelers differed from those of the overall population of US international travelers. The majority of Global TravEpiNet travelers were visiting low- or lower-middle-income countries, and Africa was the most frequently visited region. Seventy-five percent of travelers were visiting malaria-endemic countries, and 38% were visiting countries endemic for yellow fever. Fifty-nine percent of travelers reported ≥1 medical condition. Atovaquone/proguanil was the most commonly prescribed antimalarial drug, and most travelers received an antibiotic for self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea. Hepatitis A and typhoid were the most frequently administered vaccines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data from Global TravEpiNet provide insight into the characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers who are at increased risk of travel-associated illness due to itinerary, purpose of travel, or existing medical conditions. Improved understanding of this epidemiologically significant population may help target risk-reduction strategies and interventions to limit the spread of infections related to global travel.
authors.affiliation: Travelers' Advice and Immunization Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA. rclarocque@partners.org
authors.forename: Regina C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: LaRocque
authors.forename: Sowmya R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Vernon
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ansdell
authors.forename: Johnnie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Brian S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knouse
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hagmann
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vinetz
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: Jeffery A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Goad
authors.forename: Alawode
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oladele
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stauffer
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kozarsky
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franco-Paredes
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dismukes
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Noreen A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.forename: Frederique
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jacquerioz
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McLellan
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sofarelli
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schoenfeld
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marano
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brunette
authors.forename: Emily S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Jentes
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yanni
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sotir
authors.forename: Edward T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003710:Demography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000379:methods; D040442:Public Health Informatics / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014195:Travel; D057236:Travel Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult