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The impact of flying on passenger health

A guide for healthcare professionals
Board of Science and Education
May 2004

This report provides doctors with an up-to-date summary of how commercial flying can impact on the health of passengers. Doctors are often asked to certify a patient’s ‘fitness to fly’.

Therefore, guidance is provided that enables doctors, where possible, to provide informed and evidence-based advice to patients about their health and wellbeing during a flight.

The document also provides information and guidance for doctors who may be required to assist in a medical emergency during a flight.

This report is also available from:
BMA science and education department
British Medical Association
BMA House
Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9JP
email: info.science@bma.org.uk

Editorial board
A publication from the BMA science and education department and the Board of Science and Education

Chairman, Board of Science and Education - Professor Sir David Carter
Director of professional activities - Dr Vivienne Nathanson
Head of science and education - Dr Caroline Seddon
Project manager - Angela Sharpe
Authors - Dr Nigel Dowdall*, Dr Tony Evans**
Editorial secretariat - Dalia Ben-Galim, Fleur Conn, Darshna Gohill, Nicky Jayesinghe, Louise Lakey

* Honorary secretary, Association of Aviation Medical Examiners.
** Deputy chief medical officer, Civil Aviation Authority.

Board of Science and Education
This resource was prepared under the auspices of the Board of Science and Education of the British Medical Association, whose membership for 2003/2004 was as follows:

Professor Sir Brian Jarman - President, BMA
Dr George Rae - Chairman, BMA representative body
Mr James Johnson - Chairman, BMA council
Dr David Pickersgill - Treasurer, BMA
Professor Sir David Carter - Chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr P Maguire - Deputy chairman, Board of Science and Education
Dr P H Dangerfield
Dr G D Lewis
Professor S Lingam
Dr J Long
Dr S Minkoff
Dr S J Nelson
Dr S J Richards
Dr D M B Ward
Dr C Smith
Dr S J L Smith
Professor B R Hopkinson - Co-optee
Dr G Buckley - Co-optee
Dr N D L Olsen - Deputy member

Approval for publication as a BMA policy report was recommended by BMA Board of Professional Activities on 26 May 2004.

Acknowledgements