Urban health: the irremediable urbanization of life and medicine
Wolff, H.; Jackson, Y.; Broers, B.; Guessous, I.; Bodenmann, P.; Madrid, C.; Cornuz, J.; Gaspoz, J.-M.
Revue Medicale Suisse 8(326): 282-286
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 1660-9379 PMID: 22364078 Document Number: 662607
Since 2007, the number of people living in cities exceeds that of rural areas. Thus, cities and their organizations have a major influence on all spheres of human life, especially health. This influence may generate inequality, suffering and disease, but also represent an opportunity for health and well-being. This paper introduces the concept of urban health, particularly in terms of primary care medicine and presents solutions that encompass a wide field (politics, urban planning, social inequality, education). Improving urban health requires collaboration of medical with non-medical actors, in order to become of development (re-) urban structure and promotes the health of all.