Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit recognizes progress in three cities as global health initiatives gain momentum.
Set to be published on March 24, 2025, in the journal The Lancet: Regional Health – Europe, the WHO/Europe has prepared a document outlining 25 key interventions designed to assist countries in fulfilling their health commitments under the SDGs.
This crucial report emphasizes that it is possible to achieve substantial improvements in public health by implementing economically viable and evidence-based strategies to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The document underscores the urgency of the matter, as more than 80% of deaths globally stem from NCDs such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, alongside injuries. The message is clear: prevention is not just desirable, but entirely feasible, given the right policies, as noted by Michael R. Bloomberg, former New York City mayor and current Global Ambassador for WHO on NCD prevention.
He remarked, “Non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as injuries, are the cause of more than 80% of all deaths worldwide. The good news is that they can be prevented.”
Three cities were recognized during the summit for their significant strides in this domain: Cordoba in Argentina, Fortaleza in Brazil, and Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom. These cities demonstrated effective solutions for preventing NCDs and injuries, which can be replicated in other jurisdictions.
“Cities are on the front line in the fight against non-communicable diseases and injuries,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO. Each of the leading cities presented proof of how under the right leadership and policy framework, notable progress is attainable.
Cordoba has made headlines by adopting a progressive policy aimed at transforming the school food environment. With an ambitious goal to eliminate sugary beverages and ultra-processed foods from the diets of all public schools by 2026, this initiative currently involves 26 schools and serves around 15,000 students. Such policies emphasize the role of infrastructure and community responsibility in public health.
Fortaleza’s authorities have taken a bold step towards air quality management, passing the first municipal legal act aimed at monitoring air pollution sources effectively. This 2023 decision ensures local monitoring while providing vital data that can inform public policies designed to reduce air pollution and subsequently improve the health of residents.
The successful initiatives showcased at the Paris summit reflect the potential for urban populations to influence substantial health improvements, serving as models of excellence in combating NCDs.
Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO of Vital Strategies, highlighted the crucial role local leaders play when she said, “Local leaders have become a powerful force in addressing the complex challenges posed by non-communicable diseases and injuries.”
The Partnership for Healthy Cities, established in 2017, aims to mobilize collective expertise across its network of 74 cities to innovate and implement effective public policies. Their mission is to enhance the health of over 300 million people globally. The commitment of Bloomberg Philanthropies aids in providing resources across this vast network, enabling robust public health strategies to flourish.
As the world approaches crucial discussions at the upcoming high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs in September 2025, the groundwork laid by such initiatives will be indispensable. The WHO document aims to accelerate the reduction of premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030, ensuring that countries and cities alike are equipped with the knowledge and strategies to promote better health outcomes.
To participate in ongoing efforts and the forthcoming webinar regarding the WHO initiative, interested parties can register via the link provided in the accompanying resources. The lessons learned from these global conversations will undoubtedly shape how countries implement health policies in the next decade and beyond.
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