Urban Health

Topic Description

More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and this proportion is expected to reach 68% by 2050. Cities can provide greater access to health care, education, employment and other services, but rapid and poorly planned urbanization can also increase exposure to air pollution, unsafe housing, inadequate water and sanitation, traffic injuries, extreme heat, infectious diseases and unhealthy lifestyles. These risks are often distributed unequally within cities. Improving urban health therefore requires action not only by health ministries, but also by authorities responsible for housing, transportation, land use, water, sanitation, food systems and the environment.