[Dimensions of health services for big sport events. Are preventive measures effective?]

Many small municipalities are involved in big sport events from time to time. This article describes the planning and organisation of health services in connection with the annual National Rifle Shooting Championship in 1993 in Oppdal, Norway. The health services of this municipality are dimensioned for 6,200 inhabitants. The shooting championship involved over 7,000 participants and 20,000 companions for ten days. During the event, all contacts with the health services were recorded. Analyses of this material and comparisons with other similar events provided strong support for the hypothesis that good planning and organisation of the preventive health services can reduce the need for curative and acute medicine. Emphasis must be placed on prevention of infectious diseases, fire, and accidents. The number of participants, age of companions, and the type of sport must also be taken into consideration. It is essential for the quality of the preventive health service that the Public Health Officer is involved and takes the right initiatives during the planning process. It is also vital to collaborate with personnel responsible for other sectors than the health sector, but of major importance for prevention of illness and disease.