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Half of World Population Lives in Cities

   The World Health Organization says many cities face a triple threat of
   infectious diseases, chronic non-communicable diseases, and risks from
   road accidents, injuries, violence and crime.

   Lisa Schlein | Geneva 07 April 2010

   The  World  Health Organization reports half of the world's population
   lives  in cities, with about one billion people living in urban slums.
   To  mark  this year's World Health Day, the U.N. agency is launching a
   campaign  to highlight the need for good urban planning to make cities
   healthy and safe.
   The  World  Health Organization reports for the first time in history,
   more  people are now living in urban than in rural areas.  It says by
   the  middle of this century, seven out of every 10 people will live in
   a city.

   Margaret  Chan,  Director-General,  WHO,  speaks  during  the  opening
   ceremony  of  the  Economic  and  Social Council High Level Segment UN
   ECOSOC, in Geneva, Switzerland, 06 Jul 2009

AP

   Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (file
   photo)

   WHO  Director-General  Margaret Chan says the most explosive growth is
   expected in Asia and Africa.  Unless mega-cities in these regions are
   well  planned  and efficiently managed, she warns the inhabitants will
   be susceptible to multiple health threats.
   "From  inadequate  sanitation  and  refuse collection to pollution and
   accidents  from  congested  traffic, from children playing barefoot in
   soil  or  water  contaminated  by  untreated  waste,  to  outbreaks of
   infectious  diseases that thrive on filth and crowded conditions," she
   said. Â
   The World Health Organization says many cities face a triple threat of
   infectious diseases, chronic non-communicable diseases, and risks from
   road accidents, injuries, violence and crime.
   Dr.  Chan  says  cities  tend to promote unhealthy lifestyles, such as
   fast-food  restaurants,  smoking,  and  the harmful use of alcohol and
   other  substances.  "These  lifestyle  changes  are directly linked to
   obesity  and  the rise of chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke,
   some  cancers,  and  diabetes.   And,  these conditions are costly to
   treat, not only to the individuals, but, also to the society and their
   families.  And they are increasingly concentrated in the urban poor,"
   she said.   Â
   Dr. Chan notes even the poorest cities are able to enact measures that
   can  improve  their  environments.   She cites Kigali, the capital of
   Rwanda as one city where tremendous progress has been made.
   "I  was  there  a  couple  of  months  ago.   I was really struck and
   impressed  with  how  clean  it  is.  And, of course, I look into the
   background.  I talk to the people.  The president of that government
   set  himself  up as an example.  One Saturday of every month, he goes
   out  walking  around  picking  up  garbage,  rubbish and put them away
   properly," said Dr. Chan. Â
   The World Health Organization says cities must be planned, managed and
   governed  well.   It  says  developing  countries  that  follow  this
   prescription  can raise life expectancy to 75 years or more, but warns
   badly  governed  countries  can  expect  life  expectancy as low as 35
   years.

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