Aruba celebrates the 70th anniversary of its colorful Carnival, marked by a significant emphasis on public health and safety. This milestone is marked by the pivotal efforts of a team in 2014, which included Ishwar Daryanani, Enid Croes-Marugg, Laurel Romijn-Pope, Wim Willems, Francis Curiel, and Gisela de Veer. Their work, documented in “Geluidsnormen voor muziekevenementen op Aruba,” was a critical step in managing harmful noise levels during music events, highlighting the need to protect public health, especially for children, from noise-induced hearing loss.
This initiative was in alignment with the strategies of the Crisis Management Office (CMO) Aruba, led by Rino Hermans. The team’s efforts were crucial in establishing guidelines for managing harmful noise levels at music events, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community health and safety.
Celebrating 70 years of Carnival, Aruba not only honors its rich cultural heritage but also demonstrates a commitment to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and health-conscious environment for all participants and spectators. This anniversary is both a celebration of Aruban culture and a testament to the island’s dedication to public well-being.
Hearing loss is a significant global health issue. Research from Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates that hearing loss is linked with walking problems, falls, and even dementia. Mild hearing loss can double dementia risk, with moderate loss tripling it, and severe impairment increasing it fivefold. Hearing loss contributes to social isolation and can lead to faster brain atrophy, both of which are risk factors for dementia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscores the global impact of hearing loss. By 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss, and at least 700 million will require hearing rehabilitation. Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. Unaddressed hearing loss has an estimated annual global cost of US$ 980 billion, including health sector costs, loss of productivity, and societal costs.
As Aruba celebrates its 70th Carnival, the island’s focus on health and safety, especially in sound management and hearing protection, becomes an integral part of the festivities. This commitment to safeguarding the health of its community ensures the Carnival remains a joyous, inclusive, and safe event for all.
