Vital Stories

Air pollution is a serious and pervasive public health problem affecting nine out of ten people worldwide, and yet most people only think about air pollution when they can see it or smell it. In fact, most air pollution occurs at concentrations that are invisible and odorless, but still dangerous.

While Ecuador’s national data shows that people’s health and social well-being has improved significantly at the national level, when it comes to understanding the situation at the local level, information is limited.

On World Cancer Day, many of the 54 cities in the Partnership for Healthy Cities are making inspiring progress on public health interventions that can prevent cancer and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

This World Cancer Day, we’re bringing attention to concrete steps that governments can take to prevent avoidable cases of this deadly disease — and to champion efforts that are already paving the way.

When governments invest in creating healthy and safe environments for children, they benefit doubly—by improving their society’s present and securing its future.

To combat the growing obesity epidemic in Brazil, international organizations recommend bold, tested food warning labels as a cost-effective way to provide consumers with clear information about what they are eating.

Several organizations are working to implement policies and programs in Colombia that will help make healthier choices, the easier choices for consumer to make.

From art installations in Bogotá, Colombia, to citywide billboard campaigns in Mumbai, India, 8 cities called for more action on road traffic crash prevention on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

At the Union’s 49th World Conference on Lung Health, TREAT TB shared progress made, discussed best practices and lessons learned with global tuberculosis (TB) stakeholders.

In a world where more than half the population now lives in urban settings, cities are uniquely positioned to prevent noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries, and to be engines of change at the national level too.