How the WHO’s new urban health strategy can help you build a thriving, resilient community

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by WHO, click this post to read the original article.

On World Cities Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges leaders at both national and municipal levels to transform cities into healthier, more equitable, and sustainable places. As over half the world—4.4 billion people—now live in urban areas, with that number expected to reach nearly 70% by 2050, the role of cities in shaping global health has never been more critical. You’re living in a time when urban environments bring together the challenges of health, inequality, environmental degradation, and economic instability. These issues are particularly severe in slums and informal settlements, where over a billion people face daily hardships such as unsafe housing, poor sanitation, and exposure to extreme weather—a figure projected to triple by 2050.

To help address these urban health crises, WHO has launched a new guide titled “Taking a Strategic Approach to Urban Health.” This guide is designed for you and other decision-makers to use integrated, evidence-based strategies that foster healthier urban living. It provides a comprehensive framework to help governments plan thoughtfully, aligning health actions with broader social, environmental, and economic goals. WHO describes this as an opportunity for leaders at all levels to collaborate across sectors and scales—bringing together communities, planners, and various partners to create more resilient, fair, and healthy cities.

Cities worldwide are grappling with overlapping risks such as air pollution, unsafe transportation, poor housing, and limited green spaces. These factors contribute to major health threats, with air pollution alone responsible for 7 million deaths each year. If you’re living in a city, you’re likely exposed to air that doesn’t meet WHO quality guidelines. Urban settings also increase the chance of disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19 and dengue, and often lack access to health-promoting spaces. Still, cities also hold immense potential to be forces for positive transformation—places where better public health policies can drive social equity and long-term sustainability.

The WHO guide outlines specific steps to help you navigate this complexity. It encourages you to explore how urban systems impact health, identify practical entry points for change, and strengthen systems of governance, data, financing, and partnerships. Whether developing a national strategy or a local health initiative, aligning decisions from multiple sectors will help create urban areas that foster well-being for all. Your role, along with that of national leaders, is crucial in ensuring that cities are safe, inclusive, and prepared for a healthier future.

To complement the guide, WHO has also introduced the first three modules of an Urban Health E-learning course through its WHO Academy. This course is aimed at enhancing your and other professionals’ ability to collaborate effectively in urban planning and public health. Taking part in such initiatives means you can contribute directly to the broader global effort to make urban living not just viable, but truly thriving for everyone.