Picture(1) a huge(2) public gathering(3) — a sea(4) of people like(5) the hajj to Mecca or an appearance(6) by the pope(7). Think of the World Cup(8), the Olympics(9), a political event or a rock concert.
When thousands or even(10) millions of people get together(11), what do you suppose is the biggest health(12) concern(13)? Traditionally, doctors and public health officials(14) were most concerned about the spread(15) of infectious diseases(16), like influenza(17).
Robert Steffen, a researcher(18) in Switzerland(19), says infectious diseases are still(20) a concern. But he says injuries(21) and hot weather(22) are bigger threats(23) at so-called(24) mass gatherings(25).
Mr. Steffen is a professor of travel medicine at the University of Zurich. He is the lead(26) author of one of several(27) new papers about health problems at mass gatherings in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Professor Steffen says children and older people have the highest risk(28) of injury or other health problems at these events. He says children are more at risk of getting crushed(29) in stampedes(30), while older people are at higher risk from extreme heat(31).
Stampedes and cases of crushing at mass gatherings have caused an estimated seven thousand deaths(32) over the past thirty years(33). The design(34) of an area can play a part(35). There may be(36) narrow passages(37) or other choke points(38) that too many people try to use at once(39).
Professor Steffen says the mood of a crowd(40) can also play a part. For instance(41), if fireworks(42) are suddenly(43) launched(44) within(45) a football stadium, people can get scared(46) and try to escape. He says organizers of large gatherings need to avoid(47) creating conditions that might lead to(48) panic, stampedes and heat stroke(49).
And he says they must be ready(50) to give medical care(51). So what advice(52) does he have for people attending(53) a large gathering? First, get any needed vaccinations before traveling. Then, stay away from(54) any large mass of people as much as possible(55). Also, be careful with(56) alcohol and drugs, which can increase(57) the risk of injuries.
And that’s the VOA Special English
Health Report, available at voaspecialenglish.com with MP3s, PDF files
for e-readers and podcasts. You can also find our programs on iTunes.
Have you ever been in a huge crowd and worried about your safety? Or did
you feel fine? Post a comment on our website and tell us about your
experience. For VOA Special English, I’m Carolyn Presutti. (Adapted from
a radio program broadcast 25Jan2012)
Vocabulary
- Picture = imagine
- Huge = imenso(a)
- Gathering = reunião
- Sea = mar
- Like = como
- Appearance = aparição
- Pope = Papa
- World Cup = Copa do mundo
- Olympics = Olimpíadas
- Even = até mesmo
- get together = reunem-se
- Health = saúde
- Concern = preocupação
- Officials = funcionários públicos
- Spread = disseminação
- infectious diseases = doenças infecciosas
- influenza = gripe
- researcher = pesquisador
- Switzerland = Suíça
- Still = ainda
- Injuries = lesões
- hot weather = clima quente
- Threats = ameaças
- so-called = conhecidas como
- mass gatherings = manifestações de massa
- lead = lider
- several = vários(as)
- the highest risk = o risco mais alto
- getting crushed = ser esmagado
- stampedes = estouro de animais, debandada de pessoas
- heat = calor
- deaths = mortes
- over the past thirty years = ao longo dos últimos 30 anos
- design = projeto
- play a part = desempenhar um papel
- There may be = podem haver
- narrow passages = passagens estreitas
- choke points = gargalos
- at once = ao mesmo tempo
- mood of a crowd = clima de uma multidão
- For instance = por exemplo
- Fireworks = fogos de artificio
- Suddenly = repentinamente
- Launched = lançados
- Within = dentro de
- get scared = ficar assustado
- avoid = evitar
- might lead to = podem conduzir a
- heat stroke = insolação
- ready = pronto
- medical care = assistência médica
- advice = conselho
- attending = comparecendo a
- stay away from = fique longe de
- as much as possible = O máximo possível
- be careful with = tome cuidado com
- increase = aumentar