“Where people live affects their health and chances of leading flourishing lives. Communities and neighbourhoods that ensure access to basic goods, that are socially cohesive, that are designed to promote good physical and psychological wellbeing, and that are protective of the natural environment are essential for health equity.”
- Closing the gap in a generation, WHO headquarters, 2008
"Two thirds of the population of the European Region live in towns and cities. Urban areas are often unhealthy places to live, characterized by heavy traffic, pollution, noise, violence and social isolation for elderly people and young families. People in towns and cities experience increased rates of noncommunicable disease, injuries, and alcohol and substance abuse, with the poor typically exposed to the worst environments. However, there are ways to tackle these challenges."
- Urban health was the theme of World Health Day, 7 April 2010.
The worlds population is in a state of migration. More and more people are moving to towns and cities in search of jobs that can support a higher quality of life. This migration will lead to 70% of the worlds population in cities by 2050 according to the World Health Organization. We need "to tackle these challenges" related to water, environment, violence and injury, noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol as well as risks associated with disease outbreaks. We need smarter cities that promote healthier living.
What needs to happen now:
The future hold all sorts of exciting possibilities for cities, especially as we transition from the vehicle centered model that has gripped urban planning for the last 50 years. One of the new focus will need to be health and healthy living. Public health professionals with have to step forward and make their voices heard as we push to create cities that not only provide the items listed above, but imagine up new and better ways of providing health and happiness to all of the city dwellers of tomorrow.
For more information visit, http://www.who.int/topics/urban_health/en/
- Closing the gap in a generation, WHO headquarters, 2008
"Two thirds of the population of the European Region live in towns and cities. Urban areas are often unhealthy places to live, characterized by heavy traffic, pollution, noise, violence and social isolation for elderly people and young families. People in towns and cities experience increased rates of noncommunicable disease, injuries, and alcohol and substance abuse, with the poor typically exposed to the worst environments. However, there are ways to tackle these challenges."
- Urban health was the theme of World Health Day, 7 April 2010.
The worlds population is in a state of migration. More and more people are moving to towns and cities in search of jobs that can support a higher quality of life. This migration will lead to 70% of the worlds population in cities by 2050 according to the World Health Organization. We need "to tackle these challenges" related to water, environment, violence and injury, noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol as well as risks associated with disease outbreaks. We need smarter cities that promote healthier living.
What needs to happen now:
- Confirm that the urban poor have access to basic public services, such as safe water, sanitation, and health services
- Design cities to promote physical activity (bike lanes, green spaces, etc. . .)
- Make healthy food available and affordable (community gardens, farmers markets, etc. . .)
- Improve public transportation and road safety
- Environmental and noise pollution controls (limit access to city roads)
- Build inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly (community events, community sports, and special needs friendly walkways and building)
- Make urban areas resilient to emergencies and disasters
The future hold all sorts of exciting possibilities for cities, especially as we transition from the vehicle centered model that has gripped urban planning for the last 50 years. One of the new focus will need to be health and healthy living. Public health professionals with have to step forward and make their voices heard as we push to create cities that not only provide the items listed above, but imagine up new and better ways of providing health and happiness to all of the city dwellers of tomorrow.
For more information visit, http://www.who.int/topics/urban_health/en/
El tema de la salud urbana me parece apasionante. Sinceramente creo que si cada quién se empeñara en hacer de su entorno cotidinao y su día a día un espacio más saludable los resultados en salud de las poblaciones serían bien diferentes.
ReplyDeleteCreo que cada quién debería pararse a reflexionar sobre cómo desea que sea su espacio vital, igual que hacemos con nuestras casas, deberíamos hacerlo también con nuestros pueblos y ciudades.
Una parte importante del problema de la insalubridad de los entornos es que hoy en día las ciudades no se diseñan ni crecen en función de las necesidades de las personas sino en función de otros intereses. Por ejemplo, no se diseñan para las personas, sino para los coches. ¿Qué o quién tienen la prioridad en el uso de los espacios? ¿quién los disfruta?
Francesco Tonucci, el psicopedagogo italiano dice "las ciudades deben transformarse en lugares donde los niños puedan ser niños" (muy interesante, lo recomiendo, por ejemplo:
http://www.novaescoleta.com/tonucci-y-la-ciudad-de-los-ninos/
http://www.rededuca.net/kiosco/catedra/tonucci-y-la-ciudad-de-los-ninos )
Yo hago mía la frase y la extiendo a otros colectivos. Las ciudades deben transformarse en espacios donde cada persona pueda desarrollar plenamente sus capacidades y encontrar respuesta a sus necesidades, disfrutando, expresándose y viviéndolas. Esto necesariamente las volvería espacios más saludables y enriquecedores.
Y la única manera de hacerlo es a partir de la construcción colectiva, de la participación de cada una de las personas interesadas a través de la comunidad priorizando los intereses colectivos y no particulares, primando el bienestar de las personas y no los intereses económicos. La salud urbana se convierte así en un objetivo a alcanzar que sólo es posible si se impulsan iniciativas desde el territorio y desde la ciudadanía. Participación y multisectorialidad se vuelven dos palabras clave cuando hablamos de ciudades saludables. Mientras que el enfoque y el marco es el de Salud en Todas las Políticas.
¡Suerte!
María Escudero.