About WHO Centre for Health Development

WHO Kobe Centre building

The WHO Centre for Health Development (also known as the "WHO Kobe Centre – WKC") conducts research on the consequences of social, economic, and environmental change and its implications for health policies. The research focus is on urban settings and includes programmes on urban health metrics; urban health governance; emergency preparedness and urban health. The Centre, established in 1995, supports technical cooperation, capacity building and the exchange of information on science and best practices with a focus on urbanization as a key driver of health outcomes.

Vision

Health for all in urban environments.

Mission

Promoting and leading urban health research to assess trends and build evidence for policy-makers to achieve urban health equity.

History and timeline

A backgrounder on the origins and development of the Centre, together with a chronology.

Advisory Committee

WKC is governed by the Advisory Committee which meets every year in November.

Director Alex Ross

Mr Alex Ross from the United States of America appointed Director of WHO Kobe Centre in 2011

Contact us

World Health Organization Centre for Health Development
1-5-1 Wakinohama-Kaigandori
Chuo-ku, Kobe 651-0073
Japan
Telephone: (+81) 78-230-3100
Fax: (+81) 78-230-3178
E-mail: wkc@who.int