June 8 2004: BMA publishes document on 'The Impact of Flying on Passenger Health'

'The Impact of Flying on Passenger Health: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals' was published in May by the Board of Science and Education of the British Medical Association [BMA].

Much of the focus of travel medicine is on the health of travellers once they have arrived at their destination. This report focuses on an earlier stage, the flight to that destination. It addresses several important issues regarding commercial flight, and provides guidelines for both health care providers and the commercial airline industry.

Doctors are often asked to certify a patient's 'fitness to fly'. Guidance is included on giving informed and where possible, evidence-based, advice to their patients. In this regard, the report covers topics such as aviation physiology, flying during the extremes of age, and flying with special health conditions that include pregnancy, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, ear nose and throat disorders, and diabetes. The report also addresses the risk for communicable disease during flight and the medical consequences of flying such as deep venous thrombosis, fatigue and jet lag.

Advice is given to medical professionals on appropriate responses to medical incidents during flight, and to airlines on the recommended first aid training for their crew and on the contents of medical kits. Needed areas of research are identified.

The report is available at the BMA website (http://www.bma.org.uk/ap.nsf/Content/Flying) or from the BMA Science and Education Department, BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP.