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Population-based surveillance of medical tourism among US residents from 11 states and territories: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 July 2021

Rhett J. Stoney Open the ORCID record for Rhett J. Stoney [Opens in a new window] ,
Phyllis E. Kozarsky Open the ORCID record for Phyllis E. Kozarsky [Opens in a new window] ,
Allison T. Walker  and
Joanna L. Gaines
Rhett J. Stoney*
Affiliation:
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Phyllis E. Kozarsky
Affiliation:
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Allison T. Walker
Affiliation:
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
Joanna L. Gaines
Affiliation:
Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Author for correspondence: Rhett J. Stoney, E-mail: uyn2@cdc.gov
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Abstract

Objective:

To describe medical tourism among a subset of US residents; identify possible indicators for medical tourism.

Methods:

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with 11 states and territories to ask 6 questions about medical tourism, using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Data collected from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, included whether respondents traveled internationally for preplanned care, travel reasons and destinations, procedures received, and occurrence and treatment of complications. A descriptive analysis of demographics, socioeconomic status and health access variables was performed, and a regression model with a log-link function and Poisson distribution was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) for medical tourism.

Results:

Of 93,492 respondents, 517 (0.55%) traveled internationally during the previous year for care. Mexico was the most common destination (41% of trips). Dentistry accounted for 55% of treatments. Complications from care received abroad were reported by 5% of medical tourists; 67% sought care upon returning to the United States. The prevalence of medical tourism was 1.32% (95% CI, 1.00–1.64). The prevalence of medical tourism was higher in Hispanics and non-whites (PR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.48–6.32) and higher among those without current health insurance (PR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.69–4.34).

Conclusions:

This is the largest collection of population-based surveillance data describing medical tourism among US residents from multiple states and territories. Understanding the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with medical tourism can inform evidence-based recommendations for travelers and clinicians who may advise or care for these individuals before, during, or after travel.

Type
Original Article
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 43 , Issue 7 , July 2022 , pp. 870 - 875
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

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