Part of the United Nations 2015-2030 Sustainable
Development Goals agenda is the 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion in
Shanghai from 21-24 November 2016. Discussions will include childhood obesity,
mental health, urban health, outbreaks and anti-microbial resistance, and new
paths for health development for the next 15 years.
Leaders from government and United Nations organizations,
such as the World Health Organization (WHO), and health experts from around the
world will make landmark decisions to promote public health and eradicate
poverty.
The 9th Global Conference on Health Promotion,
co-organized by WHO and the National Health and Family Planning Commission of
the People’s Republic of China, has agreed on two initiatives: the Shanghai
Declaration on Health Promotion (which commits to make bold political choices
for health under the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals) and the
Shanghai Healthy Cities Mayor’s Consensus (which contains a commitment by more
than 100 mayors to advance health through improved management of urban
environments).
WHO director-general Dr Margaret Chan says underpinning
these commitments is the need for government action that protects people from
health risk, provides access to healthy choices, and spreads awareness of how
to be, and stay, healthy. ‘Legislative and fiscal measures are among the most
effective interventions that governments – national and city – can take to
promote the health of their citizens, from tobacco control and taxing sugary
drinks to ensuring people can breathe clean air, bike home safely and walk to
school or work without fear of violence.’
The Declaration
The
Declaration highlights the need for people to be able to control their own
health – to be in a position to make healthy lifestyle choices. It highlights
the role of good governance and health literacy in improving health, as well as
the critical role played by city authorities and communities. The Declaration
also stresses the importance of universal health coverage, and the need to
better address cross-border health issues. The Declaration emphasizes the need
for healthy urban policies.
Mayors' Consensus
Cities
are already home to over 50% of the world’s population, and this is expected to
increase to 66% by 2030, making them a particularly important focus. The
Mayors’ Consensus listed 10 action areas that municipal leaders attending the
Conference will integrate into their cities’ plans to implement the United
Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The
mayors agreed to integrate health as a core consideration in all city policies;
to promote community engagement through multiple platforms, including schools,
workplaces and modern technology, to advance health.
The
Shanghai event marks the 30th anniversary of the first global conference, held
in Canada, which delivered the landmark Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.
The Ottawa Charter made clear the need for political commitment, action and
investment to address health and equity.
More
than 1000 people are participating in the Shanghai Conference, including the
Prime Minister of China, more than 40 ministers of health and other sectors,
heads of five United Nations agencies and over 100 city mayors.
MARTINA NICOLLS is an international
aid and development consultant, and the author of:- The Shortness of
Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet
(2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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