Spontaneous and Unplanned Mass Gathering Events: A Scoping Review of Health Considerations for Riots, Civil Unrest, and Protest
No Preview Available
Citations
Scopus:
Altmetric:
Altmetric::
Associated Records
Authors
File Licence
Editors
Date
2025-09-22
Source Title
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Melbourne Authors
Affiliation
Critical Care
Document Type
Journal Article
Subject Code
Citation
Ranse, J., Gray, L., Mortelmans, L., Sultana, N., Achour, N., Barten, D. G., Carlström, E., Ciottone, G., De Cauwer, H., Goniewicz, K., Granholm, F., Hertelendy, A. J., Kupietz, K., Ratnayake, A., Robinson, Y., Somville, F., Tin, D. & Khorram-Manesh, A. (2025). Spontaneous and Unplanned Mass Gathering Events: A Scoping Review of Health Considerations for Riots, Civil Unrest, and Protest. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 19, pp.e269-. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2025.10189.
Access Status
Access this item via the Open Access location
Access URL
Open Access URL
Open Access at PMC
Linked Resource URL
NHMRC Grant Code
ARC Grant Code
Description
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the health planning, health provision, and health lessons learned from unplanned or spontaneous mass gathering events. METHODS: This research used a scoping review design. Data was collected from 4 databases, using search terms relating to "mass gathering events," "spontaneous events," and "health services." Data was extracted relating to the event characteristics, health usage, and patient outcomes. Extracted data were deductively coded against the surge capacity domains of staff, stuff/supplies, space, and systems. RESULTS: Ten papers were included in this review. Most spontaneous mass gathering events were related to riots, civil unrest, or unplanned large parties, which required a response from the health care system. Health staff were predominantly from an ambulance, pre-\hospital, or emergency medical services. Additional personal protective equipment, such as ballistic equipment and respiratory protection, was required. CONCLUSIONS: The planning for a health care response to a spontaneous mass gathering event requires a risk-based approach. Such an approach should be applied in local disaster and mass casualty plans as a hazard-specific response. Preparation and response should include interagency collaboration. Enhancing the reporting of spontaneous mass gathering events will provide insights for future planning and response.