With determination to ensure a healthy life for its citizens, three global cities have been awarded for preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) made this known on Thursday during the annual Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Paris.
The summit aims to tackle public health issues and employ effective strategies for saving lives and building healthier communities at the local level.
The summit assembles Bloomberg Philanthropies, the co-host, the World Health Organization (WHO), Vital Strategies, and the City of Paris, convening mayors and officials from 61 cities.
The three cities honored include Córdoba (Argentina), Fortaleza (Brazil), and Greater Manchester (United Kingdom).
These cities, part of the Partnership’s Policy Accelerator program, have implemented impactful policies to improve public health.
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WHO noted that Córdoba, Argentina, has introduced a policy banning sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods in schools, benefiting 15,000 students so far.
While highlighting the achievements of Fortaleza, Brazil, WHO stated that the city established its first air quality monitoring framework, ensuring better data collection and policy-making.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester, UK, expanded outdoor smoke-free areas, including a 6.5-acre smoke-free park, and developed a toolkit to support more smoke-free spaces.
Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs, praised the cities for their leadership, stating, “Cities are leading the way in implementing policies that are protecting public health and saving lives. This year’s winning cities are proving that progress is possible with strong leadership and political will, and we look forward to seeing the results of their efforts.”
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting urban health initiatives globally.
The Partnership for Healthy Cities, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, WHO, and Vital Strategies, connects 74 cities worldwide to promote health-focused policies.
Since its launch in 2017, the Partnership for Healthy Cities has helped improve the lives of over 300 million people.
