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Main content
For the first time in human history, the majority of the world’s population is living in urban areas, and this proportion continues to grow.
Cities concentrate opportunities, jobs and services, but they also concentrate risks and hazards for health.
The rapid increase of people living in cities will be among the most important global health issues of the 21st century.
Urban growth has outpaced the ability of governments to build essential infrastructures, and one in three urban dwellers lives in slums or informal settlements.
In all countries, certain city dwellers suffer disproportionately from poor health, and these inequities can be traced back to differences in their social and living conditions.
To unmask the full extent of urban health inequities, it is important to disaggregate health and health determinants data within cities.
Unless urgent action is taken to address urban health inequities, countries will not achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goal targets.
Acting on urban health inequities requires the involvement of organized communities and all levels of government – local, provincial and national.
Solutions often lie beyond the health sector, and require the engagement of many different sectors of government and society.
Local leaders and governments can and should play a key role in promoting urban health equity.
