As an international employee, you’re used to handling the hustle and bustle of a new assignment, culture and language — and then some. Sometimes, that can make it easy to forget your most important asset — your health.

But you don’t have to let a health problem get in the way of your life, and your assignment! These preventive care tips can help.

Get with the program
Wellness is definitely in fashion. So check your health plan to see what features and programs it offers to help you keep your health in check. You may be surprised!

For instance, the Aetna Global Health Connections program offers ongoing support to eligible members to help them manage pregnancy and other conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Members also receive education, nurse outreach and many other tools to help them take control of their condition — before it controls them.

It’s easy to “get with the program” in other ways, too. Many workplaces now offer incentives — even contests that spark friendly coworker competition — to help their workforces eat better, exercise more and make other healthy decisions.

Make “healthy” a habit
Think of your daily routine — showering, talking on the phone, brushing your teeth, commuting, etc. Why not make “being healthy” a daily habit, too? Starting today, take a half hour each day just for your health. You could:

• Research a health topic that’s been on your mind
• Schedule that preventive care visit you’ve been putting off
• Take a walk
• Learn how to make a healthy treat

When you build time into your schedule for good health, you’re also building time onto your life.

The fountain of youth
By all means — act as young as you feel! Still, the medical experts have figured out which immunizations, screenings and exams are right for your age. Knowing these guidelines — and receiving the scheduled preventive care — can help your doctor spot, treat and beat common diseases — before they become a bigger problem. The goal is not just to stay alive. It’s also looking and feeling as good as you can for your “number”. 

Some guidelines:

• In your 20’s: Screening for STDs, testicular cancer (men) and Pap smears (women)
• In your 30’s: Cholesterol screening (men) and breast self exams (women)
• In your 40’s: Screening for skin cancer, diabetes, mammograms (women) and prostate cancer (men)
• In your 50’s: Screening for breast cancer, colorectal cancer, glaucoma, skin cancer, cholesterol and glaucoma
• 60’s and beyond: Pneumonia and flu shots, and osteoporosis screening (women)

This handy tool from the Mayo Clinic can also help. Just plug in your gender and age, and you’ll get a list of screening guidelines customized for you.

Of course, age is only a number. But these guidelines are a great way to prevent diseases that “those other older people” are getting. Check in with your doctor regularly to find out what screenings you should be getting.

Adopt healthy habits
Some diseases are inherited, while others are definitely earned. The good news is that simple lifestyle habits like healthy eating and exercise can halt conditions like diabetes, heart disease and stroke in their tracks. Here are some other tips:

• Watch the middle tire: When you carry extra weight around the waist, as opposed to the hips, your risk of heart disease is higher. Why? Belly fat boosts the production of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which hugs the side of your blood vessel walls.
• Ease the pressure: When you have high blood pressure, your heart works harder to pump your blood. So watch your salt intake, keep an eye on your stress levels and keep moving to bring it down.
• Kick the stick: Smoking doubles your risk for heart disease. It narrows and damages your blood vessels. It’s also linked to many cancers. It can even hurt your eyes. The only way to get around the drawbacks of this guilty pleasure is to quit. And fast.
• Cut the fat: Saturated fat boosts cholesterol. So add more fiber-rich foods to your diet, like oatmeal, whole grains, dried beets, fruits and vegetables to help lower it.

Make a date with your dentist
It’s always a good idea to visit your family doctor regularly. But your dentist can also spot chronic conditions in your body. In fact, there’s a strong link between gum disease and health conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, preterm labor and diabetes. And here’s an eye-opening fact: Your eye doctor can also spot signs of health conditions in the body.

So when you make a date with prevention, remember to schedule some time with your dentist and optometrist.

Wherever your assignment takes you, don’t forget to pack up prevention!

Health Screening Guidelines. Available at mayoclinic.com. Accessed May 7, 2009.

Surgeon General’s Family Health History Initiative. Available at hhs.gov. Accessed May 7, 2009.

Preventive Care: Take Control of Your Health. Available at redorbit.gov. Accessed May 8, 2009.

Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke. Available at medic8.com. Accessed May 8,
2009.

My Family Health Portrait: A Tool from the Surgeon General.  Accessed May 8, 2009.