Bengaluru wins a cash reward for improving public health at a summit in London.
Story so far: On Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) awarded Bengaluru a $150,000 award for curbing tobacco consumption in the city and reducing smoking in public places. At the Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in London, cities were awarded for preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries.
- Other cities that received the award are Athens, Mexico City, Montevideo, and Vancouver.
- Mayors and officials from over 50 cities gathered at the summit in London. They discussed urgent public health concerns and ways to improve their citizens’ health.
Why though? The inaugural Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of 70 cities that aim to prevent NCDs and injuries. Heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and injuries account for over 80% of all deaths.
- Since more than half the world lives in cities and towns, public health is a global imperative.