our health and well-being are influenced by the settings in which we live by 2030 two thirds of humanity will live in urban areas cities provide an excellent opportunity for local governments to protect and promote health at many levels twenty three percent of deaths are caused by environmental factors in fact more than 90% of the world population is exposed to air quality levels that do not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization some 235 million people currently suffer from asthma it is the most common non communicable disease among children and urbanization is associated with an increase in asthma 39% of adults are overweight obesity is one of the biggest health problems worldwide and living in urban areas contributes to sedentary lifestyles health is not only about medical and clinical services such as hospitals it is about including health directives in all policies cities can be designed to provide well-being and care thus many local governments are already taking actions to bring about health benefits by raising awareness in communities for prevention and to promote healthy lifestyles improving services including basic health services waste management hygiene in food chains and water and sanitation putting people at the center of urban and transport planning responding to the needs of all citizens promoting connectivity in diverse neighborhoods and improving the quality and safety of public spaces to favor mental health physical activity and social cohesion improving road safety and managing traffic to reduce injuries and casualties protecting common goods such as soil water and the natural environment in an integrated way across sectors the sustainable development agenda including SDG 3 is about ensuring healthy living fostering well-being for all people at all ages and promoting indicators to monitor progress this can only be achieved through local action [Music]
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