World Health Day – 7th April 2010
Did you know that in 2007 more than 50% of the world’s population live in cities?
Or that by 2030 six out of every 10 people will dwell in urban environments?
Urbanization is an inevitable part of the future but with it comes a host of problems related to health, including the pollution of the environment, ensuring a safe water supply, escalating violence, prevention of diseases and consequences of physical inactivity on the population. Typically, these factors have a disproportionate effect on the economically disadvantaged who suffer from chronic illness and increased risk of violence in the community, with less access to educational, social and health services.
In view of these wide-ranging challenges, urban planning is more important than ever in providing an environment that encourages physical activity whilst improving housing and sanitation. It was with this theme in mind that the title for World Health Day 2010 – 1000 Cities, 1000 Lives – was chosen to highlight the effect urbanization has on our health globally and as individuals.
From 7th to 11th April 2010, hundreds of international campaign events are being organised to raise public awareness of this issue.
World Health Day since 1950
World Health Day has been an important date on our calendar since 1950 when it was ratified by the 26 member states of the United Nations: it is traditionally held on April 7th, which is the anniversary of the foundation of the World Health Organisation in 1948, set up to coordinate international public health on behalf of the United Nations.
With an overall aim of “attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health”, the objective of World Health Day is to raise awareness for a specific theme relating to general health and highlight areas of particular concern.
Subjects in recent years have included protecting health from the adverse effects of climate change and advocating safe design and construction in health facilities across the world, enabling them to deal with disasters more effectively and provide a safe environment for health workers and patients.
The concept of 1000 Cities encourages cities across the world to take part in World Health Day by opening up public spaces, closing off streets to motorized vehicles, organising clean up campaigns and promoting physical activities; it also aims to encourage investment in the infrastructure, providing alternative means of transport and designing areas for communal activities. The aim of 1000 Lives is to collect stories from people who have championed health in the cities and who have made a real difference to inhabitants.
World Health Day: 1000 Cities, 1000 Lives
There are already exciting plans in store: in Chile, a network of streets in Santiago named CicloRecreo Via is shut off from motorized traffic every Sunday and used for recreational activities like roller-skating, biking or walking. This year the aim is to create a “linear park” throughout the city that will extend to 130 kilometres and achieve a weekly attendance of 400,000 people, making it the largest example of communal physical activity in Chile – this scheme is hoped to be replicated throughout the country.
Cities across the world are being invited to initiate similar events by providing a public space for physical exercise like bicycling, roller-skating, soccer games or even Tai Chi. World Health Day could also be the occasion of a public announcement regarding bye laws or regulations on tobacco or consumption of alcohol.
Events can involve organisations or groups, including schools, authorities and universities - leading figures are being asked to participate and help to publicize events.
Activities should be registered online at www.who.int/world-health-day/2010 to benefit from the marketing opportunities afforded by the site.
If you know someone who has worked to improve the health in your city, you can submit his or her story online as part of the 1000 Lives campaign for urban health champions, by making a short video of no more than four minutes that illustrates their achievements.
World Health Day aims to change the world by making it healthier: so let’s become a part of it and do our bit to help make our cities more inclusive, accessible and user friendly places, designed to meet the demands of the future.
External Links:
World Health Day 2010
WHD2010 on YouTube
1000 Cities, 1000 Lives on Facebook
1000 Cities, 1000 Lives on Flickr
1000 Cities, 1000 Lives Website