Health information is, on average, blurred in differences between the rich and the poor. It masks the health conditions of the urban poor. More people especially the urban population live in urban slums. Health problems of the urban poor include communicable diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), HIV and AIDS, an increased risk for violence and chronic diseases.
Today, 7 April, World Health Day, marks the formation of the World Health Organisation (WHO) which is commemorated annually. The World Health Day 2010 will focus on urbanisation and health.
The theme of "Urbanisation and Health" was selected by the World Health Day in recognition of the effect urbanisation on health and for all individuals. Urbanisation is associated with many health challenges related to water, environment, violence and injury, non-communicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol as well as the risks associated with disease outbreaks.
The Department of Health wishes to commemorate this day in order to:
*.Raise awareness about the health challenges associated with urbanisation and the pressing need to address them through inter-sectoral action.
* Promote action around the health risks with the greatest impact on urbanisation: (1) increased exposure to risk factors leading to non-communicable diseases (e.g. tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, illicit drug use); (2) increased exposure to communicable diseases (e.g. HIV and AIDS, TB, pandemic influenza (H1N1); (3) increased exposure to violence; (4) increased exposure to road traffic injuries; and (5) public health emergencies (e.g. epidemics, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises).
"Health is a human right for all citizens. It is the role and responsibility of individuals, civil society and government (at all levels) to uphold this principle. Platforms where municipalities, civil society and individuals come together must be encouraged to protect the right to health of urban dwellers.
"By bringing multiple sectors of society together to actively engage in developing policies, more sustainable health outcomes will be achieved," says the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
Health outcomes are determined by environmental, social and physical infrastructure conditions and factors that can be positively influenced. Some of the examples of determinants include water and sanitation, quality of air, living and working conditions, access to services and resources, among others. With more and more populations living in cities, the conditions and factors that determine health outcomes become an ever more pressing challenge to address.
The myriad factors and conditions in urban settings make urbanisation, a powerful force that it is in itself, a major determinant of public health in the 21st century. Failure to address these underlying factors now can result in spiralling health costs, as well as potential health risks for underserved populations in cities.
Contact:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 285 0567
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
7 April 2010
