How Can Travelers Check Health and Safety Risks

Checking the health and safety risks in areas you might be traveling to has just gotten easier. In December, the International SOS, a "medical and travel security services company," and Control Risks joined together to release the Travel Risk Map 2016.

The map uses color coding to indicate the availability to medical care -- green for easily available good care to red where good quality care is inadequate or hard to get. It also shows the level of risk from political instability to violence, from insignificant ("I") to extreme ("E").

The map is available in PDF format and can be downloaded from the International SOS site. Also on the site is an interactive map where you can click on a specific country and get a summary of medical and dental services availability.

While International SOS is geared towards business travelers, its services are available to any traveler. Membership can be on an annual basis or by trip.