Cities and Public Health Crises

The International Health Regulations require countries to strengthen their capacity for surveillance of and response to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies both at national level and at state or city level too. That is why the World Health Organization (WHO), with the support of Lyonbiopôle, jointly organized an international technical consultation on “Cities and Public Health Crises” in Lyon, France, on 29-30 October 2008. Some 70 health specialists and others experienced in responding to disease outbreaks in cities took part.

In 1900, just 13% of the world’s population lived in urban areas. By 2008, half of the world’s population was living in urban settings. By 2025, 70% of the world’s population will be urban.