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There are many factors that need to be taken into account when considering the health aspects of travel. Although we often think in terms of immunization 'requirements', it is important to consider 'recommendations' as well. Generally speaking, the number of actual requirements for immunizations is very small, and exist primarily for the protection of the public health of the country being visited.

For further information about requirements, recommendations, etc., please click on 'How do I know what I need?'

What we offer

Because of the years that we have been involved with the field of Travel Medicine, we are able to offer advice on all health related aspects of travel and provide all the immunizations needed for any type of journey to any part of the world.

Ideally you should begin to consider the health and immunization aspects of your travels many months before departure. It is never 'too early' to begin these considerations. In fact, however, many people don't get around to this aspect of trip planning until relatively soon before departure. Although not the ideal, with some exceptions, it is never 'too late' to begin (not recommended, however). You are welcome to call our office (805-963-1824) at any time for a general discussion of your travel plans and what some of the health aspects and needs might be.

For a full and detailed evaluation of your specific travels and personal needs it is best to arrange an appointment to do this. A full and comprehensive review and plan will be outlined and discussed at that time.

It is important to realize that there are practical aspects to all travel and its personal health aspects. It is not generally recommended that each traveler necessarily receive every immunization available for travel to a specific region of the world.

Travel Medicine Background

I have been providing travel medicine services for virtually the entire time I have been in practice (since 1970). Like many things that happen in life, my 'career' in this field developed somewhat by coincidence. After finishing a year of internship at Los Angeles County General Hospital (the worst year of my life, unequivocally), I took a job as a physician in a Student Health Center at a college in the Los Angeles area (Calif. State University Northridge).

Basically, I was just looking for work where I could sleep at night and not work on weekends. Part of my job assignment was to counsel students who were planning world travels. These were the days before Jumbo Jets, and, especially compared to today, the number of people traveling, and the destinations were very small and limited. Nevertheless, there were a number of students that were traveling to areas of the world that were quite underdeveloped and where health issues presented a real concern.

Travel Medicine Bob Young MD 119 N. Milpas St. Santa Barbara CA 93103 805-963-1824
*All Travelers to underdeveloped regions of the world should CLICK HERE First*
The information that follows on these pages deals with many important aspects of travel medicine. Dr. Young is one of the pioneers in this field. If you wish to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT with Dr. Young just call the office at 805-963-1824. Although advance appointments are preferable, if necessary we can see you on short notice.
Home Page 'What do I need?' General Information (Dr. Young's Book) CDC website
*(Travel Quiz: See if you can identify the 'real' Dr. Young -* hint: he has grey hair ) What is Travel Medicine? Travel medicine deals with the special requirements associated with travel and residence in regions of the world where special health requirements exist. For the most part, these regions are the more underdeveloped parts of the world and, frequently, tropical. There are many factors that need to be taken into account when considering the health aspects of travel. Although we often think in terms of immunization 'requirements', it is important to consider 'recommendations' as well. Generally speaking, the number of actual requirements for immunizations is very small, and exist primarily for the protection of the public health of the country being visited. For further information about requirements, recommendations, etc., please click on 'How do I know what I need?' What we offer Because of the years that we have been involved with the field of Travel Medicine, we are able to offer advice on all health related aspects of travel and provide all the immunizations needed for any type of journey to any part of the world. Ideally you should begin to consider the health and immunization aspects of your travels many months before departure. It is never 'too early' to begin these considerations. In fact, however, many people don't get around to this aspect of trip planning until relatively soon before departure. Although not the ideal, with some exceptions, it is never 'too late' to begin (not recommended, however). You are welcome to call our office (805-963-1824) at any time for a general discussion of your travel plans and what some of the health aspects and needs might be. For a full and detailed evaluation of your specific travels and personal needs it is best to arrange an appointment to do this. A full and comprehensive review and plan will be outlined and discussed at that time. It is important to realize that there are practical aspects to all travel and its personal health aspects. It is not generally recommended that each traveler necessarily receive every immunization available for travel to a specific region of the world. Travel Medicine Background I have been providing travel medicine services for virtually the entire time I have been in practice (since 1970). Like many things that happen in life, my 'career' in this field developed somewhat by coincidence. After finishing a year of internship at Los Angeles County General Hospital (the worst year of my life, unequivocally), I took a job as a physician in a Student Health Center at a college in the Los Angeles area (Calif. State University Northridge). Basically, I was just looking for work where I could sleep at night and not work on weekends. Part of my job assignment was to counsel students who were planning world travels. These were the days before Jumbo Jets, and, especially compared to today, the number of people traveling, and the destinations were very small and limited. Nevertheless, there were a number of students that were traveling to areas of the world that were quite underdeveloped and where health issues presented a real concern.			*Dr. Young points to one of hundreds of postcards that he has received from his patients who have traveled (and returned safely from) all over the world.* I was delegated as the member of the medical staff to counsel these students on their need for immunizations and related medication and health information. Unlike today, in the early 1970s, there was virtually no source of information for this material. By nature, college students are bright and ask lots of questions. I found myself repeating the same information several times daily; explaining the need for various immunizations, medications, how certain illnesses were contracted, etc. Largely to save my voice, I started writing up answers to common questions and developed a series of 'hand-outs' available for those who wanted additional information. I gradually began to incorporate more information, including minor first aid measures, how to care for common illnesses, and other conditions that might be encountered while traveling (as well as at home). Eventually the campus print shop put these handouts together in the format of a small booklet which could be given to each student traveler. One day a reporter from the Los Angeles Times was interviewing me for an article on nutrition and happened to see the booklet as she was leaving my office. When she asked what it was I invited her to take a copy for herself. Several weeks later, much to my surprise, there was a major article in the Los Angeles Times Sunday Travel Section discussing the booklet and advising readers that they could obtain a copy by sending 25 cents to my office. For several weeks thereafter the mail was delivered in large bags, each enveloped containing a quarter. From this, the book,'How to Stay Healthy While Traveling', emerged. This was the first USA published book on health care for travelers and subsequently sold many thousands of copies. (You can read the whole book for free by clicking on the above link!). Since that time, the field of 'Travel Medicine' has become quite popular, and now there are 'Travel Clinics' in most urban areas. It is almost impossible to describe the expansion in world travel that has occurred in the past few decades. International travel continues to increase almost exponentially as we now approach what Marshall McLuan first referred to as a 'global village'. The arena of travel medicine continues become more and more important as people go to extremely remote and underdeveloped regions of the world for personal discovery, business, and pleasure. It has been an amazing and exciting experience for me to see this phenomenon grow and to be a part of it. For further information, click on the links below 'How do I know what I need?' Region by region, up-to-date information on health related conditons Dr. Young's book - 'How to Stay Healthy While Traveling' Lots of general information about travel-related health conditions and issues - You can read the whole book for free on this link CDC Travel Website Official US Government Travel Website

What is Travel Medicine?

Travel Medicine Background