Australians heading overseas are ignoring potential health risks out of a desire to escape reality through travel, according to University of Queensland-led research.
Dr Jie Wang from UQ Business School led the study in partnership with colleagues and Dr Deborah Mills from Travel Medicine Alliance.
The study found many travellers chose not to undertake protective behaviours such as consulting health professionals, buying travel insurance or receiving appropriate vaccines, partly because of maladaptive perceptions.
“Maladaptive perceptions can indirectly influence people to behave in ways that increase risk or danger,” Dr Wang said.
“They can negatively affect your personal health behaviour.”
Media: Dr Jie Wang, j.wang16@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 0758; BEL Communications, media@bel.uq.edu.au, +61 7 3346 9349.
