As of 2014, over of half the world's population now lives in urban areas - a proportion which continues to grow. Urbanisation has clear implications for risk of developing NCDs, not least on account of increased exposure to air pollution (responsible for 7 million deaths annually), physical inactivity due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles (3.2 million deaths annually) and increasing reliance on poor quality fast foods and processed products.

 

It is therefore essential that the health community engages in urban policy and advocacy both from the perspective of the vast and growing populations affected and the very direct impact of urbanisation on health.
 

Habitat III, the United Nations conference scheduled once every 20 years to establish priorities for sustainable urbanisation, will take place in Quito, Ecuador from 17-20 October.

 

The outcome document, the “New Urban Agenda” will shape urbanisation priorities for the next two decades. To date, the focus on health in discussions and official documents has been dangerously low. The NCD Alliance, in collaboration with other civil society organisations is developing joint recommendations for health-specific language to be included in the New Urban Agenda. The zero draft of the New Urban Agenda is available here. 
 

 

Please write to [email protected] to help develop the recommendations or for any queries, or express an interest in signing on to the recommendations once finalised at bit.do/Health-in-the-NUA. We very much value your support and collaboration.