Health & Safety in USA

FR

Vaccines and health risks

For a stay in the United States, no vaccination is required. In addition, certain vaccinations are recommended:

• DTPolio: The immunization schedule for the three vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and polio needs to be updated.
• Hepatitis B: for expatriates travelling long distances in North America.
• Rabies +Typhoid: both vaccines are recommended in case of a stay in precarious hygienic conditions.

Vaccine prices are higher than in France.

For students, some universities require DTPolio vaccination certificates, but also :

• Measles
• Rubella
• Oreillons
• BCG

The health risks in the United States are not significant. No worries. It is, moreover, recommended to take the necessary measures to protect oneself against :

• Lyme: also called Lyme borreliosis, the disease results from tick bites. It is more present in wooded areas. If you prefer walking in forests, take the necessary precautions: use repellents, wear long clothing, cover your head, etc. Its main symptoms are: headaches, skin lesions, fatigue, high temperature, etc.
• Nile's virus: it is present in the states of Colorado and South Dakota. Transmitted via the West Nile virus, it manifests itself in 3 ways: asymptotic infection, meningitis or encephalitis and West Nile fever.

Good to know: Emergency services are only available in major U.S. cities.

U.S. Health Care System

The U.S. health care system is one of the most expensive in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Health care and medical costs are high. The country does not have a mandatory national health insurance system.

Moreover, private insurance, in addition to being accessible at incredible prices, still poorly covers certain medical expenses. This is particularly the case for eye diseases, dental care, prosthesis and optical expenses. Before your student trip to the United States, consider having a check-up with your doctor.

Two main companies are responsible for the employee reimbursement system: PPO and HMO. While the former offers more expensive benefits, with freedom of choice of doctor, the latter offers cheaper services, but requires consultation with affiliated doctors.

This is why it is extremely important to take out private insurance such as Heyme World Pass before leaving on a student trip to the United States.

Consultations

Health care costs are very high in the United States. They are 4 to 5 times more expensive than in France. The same is true for drugs whose prices are double those in France. Indeed, the average pharmaceutical expenditure per capita is about $985. It is thus the highest in the world!

The price of a consultation with a general practitioner in the United States costs between €140 and €190. A visit to a specialist costs around €470. It is therefore essential to take out health insurance such as the Heyme World Pass before going to the United States for a student trip.

Emergency Numbers

The emergency numbers in the United States are:

• 911 : number to call for all emergencies. Free from a pay phone.
• 411 : number to call for police services.

Tip: Always carry your health insurance card and your blood group card with you at all times.

Some hospitals

Further information

Figures corresponding to the city of Washington. If you wish to obtain the same information but from another state of the United States, please refer to the same theme of the state of your choice.

Screening locations

• Hospitals and medical prescription
• Screening centers
• Self-test available over the counter in stores and online (OraQuick In-Home HIV Test at around 30€)

Contraception

• Morning after pill available in pharmacies without a prescription
• Condoms on sale in pharmacies/parapharmacies and supermarkets

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Transport Études

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