April 7 is World Health Day - "1000 Cities, 1000 Lives"

World Health Day, sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), is celebrated each year on April 7. This year's theme, "1000 Cities, 1000 Lives", focuses on building a global movement to make cities healthier.

The goals:

• 1000 cities: to open up public spaces to health, whether it be activities in parks, town hall meetings, clean-up campaigns, or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles.

• 1000 lives: to collect 1000 stories of urban health champions who have taken action and had a significant impact on health in their cities.

The challenges:

According to the WHO, the vast majority of the world's population growth over the next 30 years will be in urban areas, exacerbating the many health challenges related to urbanization, such as environmental and water issues, violence and injury, and communicable diseases.

Furthermore, "[t]he major drivers, or social determinants, of health in urban settings are beyond the health sector, including physical infrastructure, access to social and health services, local governance, and the distribution of income and educational opportunities."

The solutions:

So what are the solutions? The WHO says, "Urban planning can promote healthy behaviours and safety through investment in active transport, designing areas to promote physical activity, and passing regulatory controls on tobacco and food safety. Improving urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water, and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks. Building inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly will benefit all urban residents."

The cost (i.e., the least of our obstacles):

"Such actions do not necessarily require additional funding, says the WHO, "but [do require] commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions, thereby achieving greater efficiency."

So it's really just a matter of adjusting and prioritizing resources to optimize the health of a city's residents.

That might sound like a no-lose situation, except for the fact that the greedy special interests that promote less healthy options are sure to put up a fight.

Progress in Philly:

Fortunately, here in Philadelphia, we've already won a few of those fights.

For example:

• Smoking is prohibited in public places and workplaces in the city.

• Chain restaurants are required to post calories for each item on their menus.

• And new bike lanes have been designated on two major cross-town streets.

If Philly can do it, so can other cities around the world.

A community is only as strong as its people, so municipalities everywhere should find it in their best interests to encourage community health via similar measures.

More info:

>> Learn more about World Health Day 2010 and join the movement!