Summary of WHO’s “Taking a Strategic approach to Urban Health” Guide
This article details the launch of a new guide from the World Health Organization (WHO) aimed at helping governments strategically plan for urban health.Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways:
The Problem:
* Urban health is critical: Urban environments significantly impact human health, both positively and negatively, and are central to global challenges like climate change and inequality.
* Meaningful health inequities exist: Large disparities in life expectancy are seen within cities, and urban residents face numerous health risks (air pollution, unsafe transport, poor housing, etc.).Air pollution alone causes 7 million deaths annually.
* Increased vulnerability: Dense populations increase risks from infectious diseases, and lack of green spaces contributes to noncommunicable diseases.
The Solution: A New Framework
* Thorough Guide: The WHO has released the first comprehensive framework for strategic urban health planning,integrating evidence into policy and practice.
* Cross-Sector Collaboration: The guide emphasizes that health isn’t solely a health sector responsibility. it requires collaboration across all levels of government and sectors (transport, housing, digital access, finance, etc.).
* Four Key Steps for Governments:
- Understand Complexity: Analyze how urban systems impact health and equity.
- Identify Entry Points: Find opportunities to integrate health into existing policies and agendas.
- Strengthen Implementation: Improve governance, financing, data collection, and partnerships.
- Develop Strategies: Create comprehensive urban health strategies at national and city levels.
The Goal:
* Fairer, Healthier, resilient Cities: The guide aims to create urban environments that are equitable, lasting, attractive, and conducive to economic advancement and well-being.
* Transformative Change: Cities are seen as the key to addressing global health challenges and building a better future.
Additional resources:
* E-learning Course: The WHO is also launching an Urban Health E-learning course to build capacity for collaborative work.
* Link to Air Quality Fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health-air-quality-and-health)
In essence, the WHO is calling for a basic shift in how governments approach urban planning, prioritizing health and equity as central components of sustainable and thriving cities.
