If you’re between 55 and 65 years old, you may have heard the term “baby boomer”. Baby boomers are individuals born between 1946 and 1964, one of the largest in the largest age demographic groups in history. These individuals have a number of health needs addressing chronic problems, rising health care costs, and the desire to travel of millions of retirees around the globe.

In addition to chronic disease problems and injuries, longer life spans and more active aging, boomers are also the most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, coronary heart disease, asthma, and of course, the deterioration that comes with the aging process. Large numbers of baby boomers are currently uninsured. Many who belong to this age group have lost their jobs due to aging, unemployment or downsizing, or lost their life savings in the recession.

The most common afflictions and conditions experienced by boomers today are:

• Kidney disease
• Arterial sclerosis
• Osteoporosis
• Breast, lung, and colon cancer
• Stroke
• Joint complaints like bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis

American boomers needing dental care and prescriptions often travel south of the border into Mexico or even as far as Brazil, Argentina, and Costa Rica for their needs. Dental procedures as well as medications in Latin American countries is less than half of what comparable procedures and medications cost in the United States.

Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia are popular destinations for those needing hip or knee replacement surgeries. Hungary and Poland are the places to go for dental and cosmetic procedures at great savings, even after including the cost of travel and hotel or clinic accommodations.

Seek options for affordable and effective health care beyond your back yard through medical providers like PlacidWay– you may be surprised at what you find.