SDG3: Health & Well-being

Summary

By 2030, urban areas will be home to two-thirds of humanity, presenting a chance for local governments to enhance health through environmental improvements. Currently, environmental factors cause 23% of deaths, with poor air quality affecting over 90% of the population and contributing to a rise in asthma. Urban living also increases obesity and sedentary lifestyles. To combat these, cities are implementing health-focused policies, improving public services, and designing spaces to promote physical activity and social cohesion. The Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, emphasize the importance of local actions for ensuring healthy living and well-being.

Takeaways

• 🌆 By 2030, two-thirds of the world's population will live in urban areas, highlighting the importance of cities in public health.
• 🌍 Environmental factors are responsible for 23% of deaths, underscoring the need for better urban environmental management.
• 🏙️ Over 90% of the global population is exposed to unhealthy air quality levels, indicating a critical urban health issue.
• 👶 Asthma, the most common non-communicable disease among children, is linked to urbanization, affecting 235 million people.
• 🍔 Urban living contributes to sedentary lifestyles, with 39% of adults being overweight, pointing to a global health crisis.
• 🏥 Health is not just about clinical services; it also involves integrating health directives into all urban policies.
• 🌱 Cities can be designed to promote well-being and care, suggesting a proactive approach to urban planning.
• 👥 Local governments are taking actions to improve health by raising community awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles.
• 🚦 Urban and transport planning should put people at the center, responding to the needs of all citizens.
• 🛣️ Improving road safety and managing traffic are crucial for reducing injuries and fatalities in urban areas.
• 🌱 Protecting common environmental goods like soil, water, and the natural environment is essential for sustainable urban development.

Q & A

What percentage of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2030?

By 2030, two thirds of the world's population, or approximately 66%, is expected to live in urban areas.

How do cities provide opportunities for local governments to promote health?

Cities offer excellent opportunities for local governments to protect and promote health at many levels by designing urban environments that encourage well-being and implementing policies that address various health determinants.

What percentage of deaths globally is attributed to environmental factors?

Twenty-three percent of deaths worldwide are caused by environmental factors.

What percentage of the world's population is exposed to unhealthy air quality levels?

More than 90% of the world's population is exposed to air quality levels that do not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

What is the most common non-communicable disease among children, and how is it related to urbanization?

Asthma is the most common non-communicable disease among children, and urbanization is associated with an increase in asthma rates.

What percentage of adults are overweight, and how does urban living contribute to this?

Thirty-nine percent of adults are overweight, and living in urban areas contributes to sedentary lifestyles, which is one of the factors leading to obesity.

How does the concept of health extend beyond medical and clinical services?

Health is not only about medical and clinical services like hospitals; it also encompasses social, environmental, and policy factors that influence well-being, such as urban planning and community engagement.

What actions are local governments taking to improve health outcomes in urban areas?

Local governments are taking actions such as raising awareness in communities, improving basic health services, waste management, hygiene, and sanitation, as well as putting people at the center of urban and transport planning.

How do cities plan to promote mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion?

Cities plan to promote mental health, physical activity, and social cohesion by improving the quality and safety of public spaces, promoting connectivity in diverse neighborhoods, and improving road safety.

What is the sustainable development agenda's goal related to health?

The sustainable development agenda, including SDG 3, aims to ensure healthy living and foster well-being for all people at all ages by promoting indicators to monitor progress.

How can the progress towards ensuring healthy living be monitored?

Progress towards ensuring healthy living can be monitored through indicators that measure various aspects of health and well-being, such as air quality, access to healthcare, and rates of non-communicable diseases.