Planning and Managing Cities to Minimize the Risk of Disease and Ensure Equitable Access to Healthcare
While the call to rethink and restructure the nature of contemporary society is challenging, the World Economic Forum presents a unique opportunity for a future that was in jeopardy. In the current rapidly urbanizing world, cities act as drivers of economic development and health centers. The forum responds to this challenge by considering the relationship between cities and their population’s health. The goal is to empower consumers to achieve well-being and long-term health in terms of physical and mental well-being. The forum is working in collaboration with the cities to improve living conditions and holistic health for diverse communities worldwide (Hancock, 2018). The initiative started in 2019 in the United States in Jersey City.
In regards to the above, the stakeholders have currently established diagnostics of healthy living, hygiene, sanitation, and an adequate supply of nutritious food. In July 2020, collaboration extended to Texas City with over 1 million residents, where they received essential healthcare services (Shi, 2019). During the same month, the forum spread to Mumbai in India, with over 20 million residents and collaborated with some departments in India in offering essential healthcare services (Shi, 2019). In the current coronavirus crisis, the forum has emphasized observing hygiene as a critical priority in cities to limit the contagion of diseases. The plan is working to improve the social, physical, and community environments that enable people to lead healthier lifestyles and maximize their potential that contribute to the economy’s growth.
Discussion Reply
World Health Organization initiated The Healthy Cities Initiative in the European Offices. It aimed at developing healthy policies in all communities at the local level. A healthy city provides a built and physical environment that supports safety, wellbeing, cultural identity, recreation, and all other accessible needs of citizens. It ensures that low-income families can access healthcare services freely (Shi, 2019). Many cities in the world have had a chance to achieve significant benefits for the communities. According to Fit Report 2020, Chandigarh City in India was ranked as the healthiest city worldwide. Compared to other metropolises, people living in Chandigarh do not mostly face lifestyle diseases; they drink plenty of water and refrain from smoking (Alonso et al., 2017). In this regard, individual responsibilities and community involvement are crucial measures in achieving healthy success in cities.
References
Cole, H., Shokry, G., Connolly, J., Pérez-del-Pulgar, C., Alonso, J., & Anguelovski, I. (2017). Can healthy cities be made healthy? The Lancet Public Health, 2(9), e394-e395. Web.
Hancock, T. (2018). Creating healthy cities and communities. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 190(7), E206-E206. Web.
Shi, L. (2019). Introduction to health policy (2nd ed.). Health Administration Press.