Reducing risks to health and wellbeing at mass gatherings: the role of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Amina Aitsi-Selmi; Virginia Murray; David Heymann; Brian McCloskey; Esam I Azhar; Eskild Petersen; Alimuddin Zumla; Osman Dar

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2016.04.006

Reducing risks to health and wellbeing at mass gatherings: the role of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Int J Infect Dis. 2016 Jun:47:101-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2016.04.006. Epub 2016 Apr 7.

Authors

Amina Aitsi-Selmi¹, Virginia Murray², David Heymann³, Brian McCloskey⁴, Esam I Azhar⁵, Eskild Petersen⁶, Alimuddin Zumla⁷, Osman Dar⁸

Affiliations

¹ Public Health England, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, England, UK; Epidemiology and Public Health Department, University College London, London, UK.
² Public Health England, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, England, UK; UNISDR Scientific and Technical Advisory Group, Geneva, Switzerland.
³ Public Health England, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, England, UK; Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, UK.
⁴ Public Health England, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, England, UK.
⁵ Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, and Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ The Royal Hospital, Muscat, Oman; Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
⁷ Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (AZ), UCL Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
⁸ Public Health England, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, England, UK; Chatham House Centre on Global Health Security, Royal Institute of International Affairs, London, UK. Electronic address: osman.dar@phe.gov.uk.

Abstract

Mass gatherings of people at religious pilgrimages and sporting events are linked to numerous health hazards, including the transmission of infectious diseases, physical injuries, and an impact on local and global health systems and services. As with other forms of disaster, mass gathering-related disasters are the product of the management of different hazards, levels of exposure, and vulnerability of the population and environment, and require comprehensive risk management that looks beyond single hazards and response. Incorporating an all-hazard, prevention-driven, evidence-based approach that is multisectoral and multidisciplinary is strongly advocated by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. This paper reviews some of the broader impacts of mass gatherings, the opportunity for concerted action across policy sectors and scientific disciplines offered by the year 2015 (including through the Sendai Framework), and the elements of a 21(st) century approach to mass gatherings.

Keywords: Disaster Risk Reduction; Global Health; Hajj; Mass Gatherings; Policy; Sendai Framework.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Communicable Disease Control*
Crowding
Disasters / prevention & control*
Holidays
Humans
Islam
Risk Reduction Behavior
Travel