Health - Expat Magazine
Since November set in, one Pumpkin Spice Latte at a time, many of us in the Northern Hemisphere may have started to feel that familiar autumn crisp that makes us want to dig into a warm blanket and watch the world from behind a large window. But beyond the cozy comforters and heaps of colorful leaves, there is more to autumn when it comes to our emotions. And not all of it is pleasant.
Mental health and depression are topics that have become more popular in recent years, and expatriates are not spared by this disorder. According to the WHO, this mental illness affects 300 million people worldwide. On the occasion of the World Depression Day observed on 27 October, we examine the main causes of depression among expatriates from a psychologist's point of view.
Is health insurance compulsory for expats? In principle, expats are covered by their host country's system, but some prefer to set up a special fund in their home country. At a time when health insurers are tightening their belts, this question is being debated in Switzerland.
Healthcare costs are going up. A report from PwC says that in 2024, the cost of medical care is expected to go up by 7%. This is because of things like prices going up and not having enough workers. This affects not only people without good insurance but others too.
An extended stay abroad with ongoing medical treatment requires careful planning. How will you get your medication if you're abroad for more than six months? What if there is a shortage of medicines in your host country? How do you adapt your treatment to the medications available in the foreign country?
Are you about to start a new life abroad? It means you are already working things out, mapping out important details before D-day. But did you think of getting a health check-up done? Unfortunately, prospective expats tend to neglect this aspect of their move amid administrative paperwork.
The Covid pandemic has revealed flaws in health systems around the world, including organizational dysfunctions, lack of infrastructure and human resources, aging populations, skills shortage, demographic challenges, etc. Added to this already complex equation are expatriates, who also need healthcare.
Since the early days of the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been multiplying alerts regarding the cost of health care, especially in countries where the healthcare system has weakened. Health expenditure, already on the rise before Covid-19, have increased considerably and become a burden for many countries. In such circumstances, how should expats deal with healthcare, especially those with health insurance?
Healthcare has become a recurring hot topic since the start of the pandemic, with health systems being under strain. Political scientists, economists, scientists, researchers, and of course, doctors point to the upheavals shaking health systems around the globe. The cost of healthcare is another issue, especially for expatriates and prospective expatriates. Should you choose your next destination based on the quality of its health system?
British citizens live in a country where the organ that allows universal social healthcare gives priority to people in need rather than to the prices of their treatment. This system established as a consequence of the aftermath of the WW2 has been regularized through the National Health System in England, Scotland and Wales.
We live lives when the world around us is changing rapidly. Technology rises, we travel and move, but while the outside world seems to be spinning, our thoughts and feelings are affected. The careful daily examination of our feelings is important for enhancing our mental health. But some scenarios like Covid, moving to a new country, or just the stress of life itself make it too difficult to bear with it alone. Seeking help regarding your mental health might be one of the best decisions you'll ever make, and it might lead you on to your new life path.
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Access to healthcare should be a priority when moving abroad, especially in the current COVID-19 pandemic environment. Without proper planning, expats may face high medical bills or may not even have access to good healthcare facilities and services. Since the quality of healthcare services and applicable rules vary between countries, expats should understand the systems in their host countries and ensure they can get access to good medical care, hopefully for a competitive price.
The survey carried out during the month of June called on more than 3000 expats from everywhere around the world. Of the American expats who participated, 51% had already been vaccinated and 32% intended to get vaccinated in the future.
The Expat.com survey was carried out in June this year and revealed that an estimated 62.9% of British expats have indeed received the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of them had received either the Oxford-AstraZeneca or the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.
In many countries, mass vaccination has already started. While many still have negative thoughts, others are left in limbo. Expats who are not eligible for vaccination in their host country might have to go back home. This is what we know up to now.
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is progressing in many countries, mainly in Europe and the United States. However, there's one question that still needs to be addressed. Are expats entitled to vaccines in their host country and under what conditions?
With more than 90.8 million positive cases globally and 1.94 million deaths since early 2020, but especially with the new strain of the virus vaccination is an urgent issue, even though many countries are struggling to start their vaccination campaigns. Here's an update on what's happening around the world and what vaccines are on offer.
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