References

with no such reservation on its usage to particular section/ class of the society etc. Being a healthy city should not only be realted to current health infrastrucutre but also to improve the environmental condition with a will to connect these to social. economic and political arenas to remove the inequalities, gap and loopholes in our systems.

Therefore, a vision for healthy cities is entirely based on providing awareness to public about their dependency or relation with their city and its spaces to bring out peace and prosperity which led to the formation of lively and active neighborhoods and automatically the whole nation. Healthy cities can actually act as a base foundation by setting an ideal example for other cities and communities which are restricted, deprived and isolated from the knowledge of above factors.

2.2 Role of Health Promotion Action/ Policies in building Healthy Cities

Health promotion is farther away from just heath care as it directs the attention of policy makers towards after effects of the steps, decisions and measures taken by them on the health of a ciy so that they initially think upon some responsibe actions while drafting any policy. The agenda of these action plans and policies is to find out the barriers while adopting healthy public policies in non-health sectors mainly by providing suitable solutions. It will be easier for them to opt for healthier choices for cities and people.

Create Supportive Environments Strengthen Community Actions Development Personal Skills Reorient Health Services

2.3 Urbanization’s Impact on City’s Health: Facts and Figures

“The world is rapidly urbanizing with significant changes in our living standards, lifestyles, social behaviour, and health. While urban living continues to offer many opportunities, including potential access to better health care, today’s urban environments can concentrate health risks and introduce new hazards” 2

• More than 50% of world’s population will live in the cities (By 2030, every 6 /10 and by 2050, every 7/10 people will live in cities) • One in three urban dwellers lives in slums (1 billion worldwide) • Road accidents are at ninth position in list of causes of death globally (Half of them are pedestrians, cyclists and people using motorized two wheelers) • 1.2 million people die each year globally due to Urban Air pollution (It causes cardiovascular and respiratory diseases) • Tuberculosis (TB) disease is seen in bigger cities mainly • Poor urban environmental conditions led to physical inactivity with unhealthy food consumption.

2 Dr Jacob Kumaresan, Director: Centre for Health Development (World Health Organization), Kobe, Japan