WHO Strengthens Global Drive for Healthier Cities

Cities are becoming central to the future of global public health. More than half of the world's population already lives in urban areas, and that proportion is expected to increase significantly by 2050. Rapid urbanisation creates opportunities for economic development and better services, but it also brings challenges involving air pollution, inadequate housing, unsafe transport and unequal access to healthcare. The World Health Organization is working to strengthen the capacity of governments and communities to address these issues.

On November 10, the WHO highlighted a four-week training initiative designed to help professionals build healthier and more equitable cities.

Organised by the WHO Academy and its Urban Health Unit, the programme brought together 73 participants from 27 countries across all six WHO regions. Participants were selected from more than 120 applications and included representatives from government health departments, national ministries, universities, civil society organisations and WHO country offices.

The training focused on the WHO's Urban Health Capacity Assessment and Response Resource Kit. Through online sessions, practical exercises and collaborative discussions, participants explored how cities can identify weaknesses in their public health systems and develop targeted responses.

Participants also examined examples from cities including Accra, Enugu, Gwangju, Kwekwe, Lira, London, Suva and Utrecht. Each participant developed a draft plan for initiating an urban health assessment within their own working environment.

The initiative recognises that health outcomes are shaped by far more than hospitals and medical services. Housing quality, public transportation, sanitation, food systems, employment opportunities, environmental conditions and urban design all influence people's physical and mental well-being.

For example, improved walking infrastructure can encourage physical activity, while better public transport can reduce dependence on private vehicles and potentially improve air quality. Access to green spaces can also support healthier lifestyles and community interaction.

The WHO plans to hold another training programme in 2027, building on the experience of the first two cohorts and expanding the network of professionals capable of applying these approaches.

The initiative represents an important step towards making health a central consideration in urban development. Governments can achieve more sustainable improvements when health departments collaborate with planners, transport authorities, environmental agencies and local communities.

The real test will be whether training translates into practical policies, measurable improvements and better living conditions.

Signal

The future of healthcare will not be determined by hospitals alone. Healthier cities, cleaner environments and better urban planning could become some of the most powerful tools for preventing disease and improving quality of life.