Ready, Set… Prevention

Extreme Heat and the Jubilee: Advice to Protect Pilgrims

Extreme Heat and the Jubilee: Advice to Protect Pilgrims

With summer in full swing and temperatures expected to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, the 2025 Jubilee presents an unprecedented public health challenge. Heatwaves will coincide with the arrival of nearly one million young people from all over the world, peaking between August 2 and 3, during the vigil and the grand mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. The entire event area, spanning over 160 hectares, offers no natural shade, making effective prevention measures all the more critical.

Emergency Plan by Civil Protection Authorities

To address the risks, Italy’s Civil Protection, in coordination with the Vatican, has launched a special emergency plan. It includes 200 water distribution stations, designated pathways with misting devices, a temporary water network stretching 15 kilometers, and over 9,000 coach parking bays. The site will be monitored by 112 surveillance cameras and staffed by law enforcement and medical personnel to ensure safety and prompt assistance. Despite this extensive planning, personal responsibility remains essential.

Appeal from the Italian Society of Hygiene

The Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SItI) has issued a clear appeal: protect vulnerable individuals and adopt responsible behaviors. Heatwaves, intensified by climate change, pose a serious health threat. The past provides clear warnings—for example, in 2003 over 4,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in Italy alone. In response, the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health have implemented the 2025 Heat Plan, which includes daily city-level alerts and rapid response protocols.

Local Health Networks and Active Monitoring

Italy’s prevention system relies on an integrated network involving local health departments, general practitioners, pharmacies, social services, and nonprofit organizations. This network enables targeted interventions for high-risk individuals such as the elderly, people with chronic conditions, or those living alone. At the same time, the Daily Mortality Surveillance System (SiSMG) monitors 55 cities, assigning risk levels from 0 to 3 to guide health system responses in real time.

Practical Advice for Pilgrims Facing the Heat

SItI advises pilgrims to drink water frequently, even when not thirsty, and to avoid alcohol or sugary drinks. It is essential to protect oneself from the sun with hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas, to wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, preferably made of natural fabrics, and to limit physical activity during peak heat hours, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those walking to the event site—especially from San Giovanni or the nearest train stations—should plan for regular breaks and make use of shaded or cooled rest areas. Daily weather alerts should be checked regularly for updated risk levels.

Shared Responsibility: No One Should Be Left Alone

SItI president Enrico Di Rosa emphasizes the importance of solidarity during critical periods. Many vulnerable individuals, particularly those who live alone, may unknowingly expose themselves to dehydration or heatstroke. That’s why building local support networks, encouraging community involvement, and activating social monitoring systems are key. Prevention is not only the duty of institutions—it is a shared responsibility that, during the Jubilee, becomes a powerful gesture of mutual care among pilgrims, residents, and volunteers.

Charter of values for the healthcare world: a guide for those who care for others

Charter of values for the healthcare world: a guide for those who care for others

The document, signed by the presidents of the national federations and councils of healthcare, social-healthcare, and social-assistance professions, was presented during the conference "many worlds, one health."

"values represent something that guides, enlightens, and strengthens existence, allowing responsibility to be embedded in individual actions within a framework of shared understanding." based on this principle, the presidents of the national federations and councils of healthcare, social-healthcare, and social-assistance professions – fnomceo, fnopi, fno tsrm and pstrp, fofi, fnopo, fnovi, fncf, cnop, fnofi, fnob, cnoas – decided to sign a charter of values for the healthcare world. the aim is to enhance the care relationship between professionals and assisted individuals by setting a value-based path to guide actions, guarantee rights for all, and protect the right to health.

the document was presented on saturday, april 5th, during the international study conference titled "many worlds, one health," organized by the episcopal commission for charity and health services and promoted by the national office for health pastoral care of the italian bishops' conference (cei). the event featured distinguished international speakers, representatives from the world health organization (who), and, for the first time, also from the world organization for animal health (woah).

the charter of values focuses on key words: person, dignity, care, health, relationship, competence, responsibility, freedom, multi- and inter-professionality, equity. each of these is linked to the actions of healthcare professionals, and together they shape the content of the document. as explained by the presidents of the federations and national councils, the charter is intended as "an inspiration for a way of thinking and acting in the world of care and caregiving. it is a commitment to rethink and never lose sight of the fundamental issues that led each of us to these professions. we are confident," the signatories conclude, "that not only in intentions but in concrete actions, the values outlined in this simple list can guide us in bearing good fruit for individuals, communities, the environment, and the entire ecosystem."

Jubilee Flu: Attention to the Mix of Viruses Brought by Pilgrims

Jubilee Flu: Attention to the Mix of Viruses Brought by Pilgrims

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

Influenza del Giubileo, attenzione al mix di virus portati dai pellegrini

Influenza del Giubileo, attenzione al mix di virus portati dai pellegrini

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

A Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan for a Healthy Jubilee

A Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan for a Healthy Jubilee

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

Jubilee: from avian flu to covid and mpox - potential health risks

Jubilee: from avian flu to covid and mpox - potential health risks

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

Influenza 2024: how to reduce the risk of complications ahead of the Jubilee

Influenza 2024: how to reduce the risk of complications ahead of the Jubilee

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

The Jubilee: Managing the Risk of Influenza and Other Viruses

The Jubilee: Managing the Risk of Influenza and Other Viruses

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

 The Perfect Jubilee Suitcase: Health and Practicality for Facing Winter

The Perfect Jubilee Suitcase: Health and Practicality for Facing Winter

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

 The Jubilee and the risk of contagion: public health challenges during flu season

The Jubilee and the risk of contagion: public health challenges during flu season

It won’t be a bigger problem to find one video game lover in your neighbor. Since the introduction of Virtual Game.

Giubileo in Salute è un progetto

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