Urbanization and health
Urbanization is process of global scale changing the social and environmental landscape on every continent. Urbanization is a result of population migration from rural areas in addition to natural urban demographic growth. In 2007, the world’s population living in towns and cities surpassed 50% for the first time in history and this proportion is growing. Rapid, unplanned and unsustainable patterns of urban development are making developing cities focal points for many emerging environment and health hazards. As urban populations grow, the quality of global and local ecosystems, and the urban environment, will play an increasingly important role in public health with respect to issues ranging from solid waste disposal, provision of safe water and sanitation, and injury prevention, to the interface between urban poverty, environment and health.
Health and urbanization resources
Urbanization and health documents
- Megacities and Urban Health (2009) [275kb]
- Climate Change and Developing-Country Cities: Implications For Environmental Health and Equity (2007)
- Research priorities for climate change and health in urban settings: WHO workshop (2008) [pdf 242kb]
- Climate change exposures, chronic diseases and mental health in urban populations: a threat to health security, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged (2009) [pdf 2.62Mb]