TRAVEL ADVISORY:
To ensure the safety of U.S. citizens, it is recommended to check travel advisories before leaving to go to a different country. Because of the recent terrorist attacks, many warnings involve being cautious. Some of the most important warnings are as follows:
Additionally, it is important to understand that while traveling to urbanized areas in parts of Southern Europe such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, one may encounter significant air pollution risks. Pollutants from transportation and development of industries are dangerous in such cities, even considering the short term effects. There are also significant health effects to be considered that cater to specific regions and areas, not only present dangerous professions such as human trafficking and sexual abuse, but the widespread presence of HIV and AIDS in these regions.
- Be careful because there has been an ongoing threat of taking terrorist actions out upon U.S. citizens
- Be aware of your surroundings especially in places like high-profile public events, hotels, and restaurants
- Watch out for any suspicious looking people
- Try not to be in a overcrowded area to help ensure safety
- Take proper vaccinations before leaving on your trip
- Allow adjustment to regional foods and practices
- Do not share any belongings or needles with strangers
- Leave emergency contact information with your family just in case there is an emergency
- Have an emergency plan ready prior to leaving for your trip
Additionally, it is important to understand that while traveling to urbanized areas in parts of Southern Europe such as Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, one may encounter significant air pollution risks. Pollutants from transportation and development of industries are dangerous in such cities, even considering the short term effects. There are also significant health effects to be considered that cater to specific regions and areas, not only present dangerous professions such as human trafficking and sexual abuse, but the widespread presence of HIV and AIDS in these regions.
""The health of many in the region (Southern Europe) has been left behind, and a number of highly vulnerable groups in the region. These include the Roma, displaced persons as well as victims of the sex and drug trades. There is also evidence of emerging HIV/AIDS and tobacco epidemics."
http://www.lse.ac.uk/LSEHealthAndSocialCare/pdf/eurohealth/vol10No3-4.pdf
"Recent results suggest that adverse health effects of air pollution exist at levels of pollutants around or even below air quality standards set by national and international institutions. Furthermore, there are indications that air pollution effects on health may be partly determined by specific mixtures of air pollutants and may be altered by other environmental, behavioral, and social patterns. Southern European countries share some common characteristics in terms of climate, geography, and life activity patterns. Results from studies undertaken in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain investigating short- and long-term air pollution health effects are presented and their consistency demonstrated. These results provide adequate evidence that health effects--particularly short-term--of the currently measured urban air pollution levels exist. However, information available so far does not allow an assessment of regional differences in the health effects of air pollution as far as the Mediterranean region of Europe is concerned. It is suggested that the interaction between the traditional pollution (mainly characterized by high levels of black smoke and SO2) and photochemical pollution must be investigated in this area, as well as the possible interaction between air pollution and high temperature and other meteorologic factors. In addition, measurements of individual exposure to different pollutants, affected by the pollutant's levels in specific micro-environments and the individual's time-activity pattern, must be undertaken for a better understanding of the air pollution-health link. Finally, the importance of the reported air pollution health effects in terms of public health must be addressed more closely."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7614942
http://www.lse.ac.uk/LSEHealthAndSocialCare/pdf/eurohealth/vol10No3-4.pdf
"Recent results suggest that adverse health effects of air pollution exist at levels of pollutants around or even below air quality standards set by national and international institutions. Furthermore, there are indications that air pollution effects on health may be partly determined by specific mixtures of air pollutants and may be altered by other environmental, behavioral, and social patterns. Southern European countries share some common characteristics in terms of climate, geography, and life activity patterns. Results from studies undertaken in France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain investigating short- and long-term air pollution health effects are presented and their consistency demonstrated. These results provide adequate evidence that health effects--particularly short-term--of the currently measured urban air pollution levels exist. However, information available so far does not allow an assessment of regional differences in the health effects of air pollution as far as the Mediterranean region of Europe is concerned. It is suggested that the interaction between the traditional pollution (mainly characterized by high levels of black smoke and SO2) and photochemical pollution must be investigated in this area, as well as the possible interaction between air pollution and high temperature and other meteorologic factors. In addition, measurements of individual exposure to different pollutants, affected by the pollutant's levels in specific micro-environments and the individual's time-activity pattern, must be undertaken for a better understanding of the air pollution-health link. Finally, the importance of the reported air pollution health effects in terms of public health must be addressed more closely."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7614942