The concept of "Healthy Cities" originated from understanding the pivotal role local governments can play in establishing healthy conditions and promoting overall well-being within their communities.

The Healthy Cities idea emerged in the 1980s, inspired by the new public health movement, the 1986 Ottawa Charter, and WHO's "Health for All" (HFA) strategy introduced in 1978 at Alma Ata. The principles of HFA and the strategic guidance provided by the Ottawa Charter form the backbone of the WHO's Healthy Cities initiatives.

Early examples of the application of this concept include the Canadian Healthy Cities Project (now referred to as Healthy Communities) and the WHO European Healthy Cities Project initiated in 1986. These pioneering projects were built upon primary health care and health promotion pillars. They challenged communities to develop initiatives that reduced health status disparities, improved access to services and formulated healthy public policies locally. These initiatives adopted a multi-sectoral approach and encouraged greater community participation in health decision-making, establishing the foundation for the Healthy Cities Network we know today.

Source: White paper

As of 2022, no cities in India are part of the WHO Healthy Cities Network or have declared their intention to become Healthy Cities. There was a pilot in Delhi in the 90s but did not go beyond one neighborhood in Delhi.

In 2023, Bhopal became the first city in the country to announce its intention to become a Healthy City.. This effort aims to significantly improve the health and well-being of its residents, making Bhopal a pioneer in this significant health promotion effort.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes many cities worldwide as part of its "Healthy Cities" initiative. This global movement aims to put health high on the social, economic, and political agenda of city governments. From Europe to Africa, Asia to the Americas, cities are working to improve health and well-being by creating more supportive environments and enabling healthier choices. Some examples of WHO Healthy Cities are:

Asia: Singapore; Kuching, Malaysia; Tokyo, Japan; etc

Africa: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Accra, Ghana; etc

South America: Rosario, Argentina; Belo Horizonte, Brazil; etc.

Europe: Copenhagen, Denmark; Liverpool, United Kingdom; Athens, Greece, etc.

North America: San Francisco, USA; Vancouver, Canada; etc

Source: White paper pg. 32 Global Experiences and Lessons.

The relevance of Healthy Cities in India can be attributed to several key factors, most notably the rapid pace of urbanization. According to the 2011 census, 31.6% of Indians, equivalent to 377.1 million people, lived in cities. By 2030, India's urban population will reach around 590 million, constituting approximately 40% of the total population.

The swift and significant shift towards urban living brings with it a complex set of challenges impacting city-dwellers' health. These challenges include increased migration, the effects of climate change, transitioning disease burdens, unhealthy built environments, and insufficient urban systems, including healthcare services.

In response to these challenges, there is an urgent need for a focused effort to establish Healthy Cities across India. The Healthy Cities initiative, launched by the WHO in 1986 following the Ottawa Charter, has long promoted health and well-being within urban settings. More recently, there's been a growing understanding of the crucial connection between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, ensuring good health and well-being for all, and SDG 11, making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Healthy City planning aims to implement strategies that enhance urban health and address environmental issues through local government action and community involvement. Given the current urbanization trend in India, the Healthy Cities initiative is relevant, aiming to transform urban living conditions and promote a healthier, more sustainable future for the increasing number of city residents.

Source: White paper, BHCP PPT slide 3

Social Determinants of Health (SDH) are a range of non-medical factors that significantly impact your overall well-being. These factors shape the environment you're born into, the places you work and live, your aging process, and even your day-to-day experiences. Unlike medical treatments or lifestyle choices, SDH often lies outside an individual's immediate control but plays a pivotal role in health outcomes.

Here’s a breakdown of key Social Determinants of Health:

• 1. Transport and mobility options: Walking has been proven the easiest way to stay healthy, but most cities are not built or maintained to encourage walking or public transport. While this is changing in India, the pace could be significantly altered to enable healthier lifestyle choices.
• 2. Neighborhood and Built Environment: This includes everything from the safety of your community to the availability of parks and the quality of your housing. A well-designed environment can promote healthy choices and behaviors.
• 3. Social and Community Context: This involves the quality of your relationships, community engagement, and social inclusion. Supportive social networks can serve as a buffer against various health issues.
• 4. Economic Stability: Financial factors like employment, income, and expenses can create stress or limit access to essential resources like food and healthcare, directly affecting your health.
• 5. Access and Quality of Education: The level and quality of education you receive can have lifelong implications on your health by affecting job opportunities, income, and even your understanding of healthy behaviors.

By addressing these determinants, BHCP aims to create a holistic approach to improving community well-being.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided a set of criteria and indicators to guide cities. The key focus of a "Healthy City" is to create an urban environment that advances the health and well-being of all its residents.

The WHO has established comprehensive indicators reflecting the multifaceted nature of health. These indicators include factors ranging from environmental conditions to social determinants of health. Key aspects can involve:

• 1. Quality of public health services.
• 2. Access to clean water and sanitation.
• 3. Availability of healthy and safe food.
• 4. Quality of housing.
• 5. Levels of physical activity among residents.
• 6. Air and environmental quality.
• 7. Availability of green and public spaces.

No, Smart Cities and Healthy Cities, while both focused on improving urban life, represent distinct concepts.

A Smart City uses technology and data-driven solutions to improve the quality of life for its residents, increase the efficiency of urban services, ensure sustainable development, and enhance engagement with citizens. Smart City initiatives often involve the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, and other innovations to manage resources and services, such as traffic and transportation systems, power supply, water supply, waste management, crime detection, and more.

On the other hand, a Healthy City, as per the World Health Organization's concept, is continually creating and improving its physical and social environments and expanding community resources to help people support each other in performing all life functions and reaching their maximum potential. The focus is on health promotion, public health, social determinants of health, and fostering an environment that promotes the well-being of all its residents. It's about ensuring that health is considered in policies across all sectors and that health inequities are addressed.

The primary difference lies in their focus - Smart Cities mainly emphasize using technology and data to improve city operations and the quality of life. In contrast, Healthy Cities primarily focuses on health promotion and the overall well-being of city residents.

That said, the two concepts can intersect. A Smart City can leverage its technological capabilities to promote better health outcomes, making it a Healthy City and vice versa.

Source: web: https://smartcities.gov.in/ , BHCP PPT, White paper

BHCP is an initiative by the National Health Mission (NHM) Madhya Pradesh, suported by the Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP) and Swasti

Bhopal is India’s 1st city to take-up the process required to become a Healthy City. Its strategic location, population size, status as a Smart City, and the commitment of local government agencies supported this decision.

Located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is the capital, the second most populous, and the largest city in the state by area. Its selection as one of the 100 cities under the "Smart City" initiative underscores its reputation for urban development and innovation. Additionally, it has earned the distinction of being the cleanest capital in the country. While Bhopal performs well on multiple health and cleanliness indicators, areas remain for improvement. The city is also experiencing rapid growth and urbanization, providing an opportune time for a health-focused initiative like the Healthy City.

Furthermore, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, is determined to exemplify that "Health for All" is achievable through coordination across different sectors impacting health. This enthusiasm for health-focused strategies contributed to Bhopal's selection as a model "Healthy City."

Source: BHCP White paper

The National Health Mission (NHM) of Madhya Pradesh is the anchor of the Bhopal Healthy City initiative, convening the various other departments. NHM has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HSTP and Swasti to plan and support the process of Bhopal becoming a Healthy City.

The NHM provides essential support, resources, and collaboration for carrying out the various initiatives under the BHCP. This partnership aims to manage health improvement strategies effectively and measures, contributing significantly to transforming Bhopal into a healthy city.

In addition to NHM, the Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP) is also involved in the BHCP as a research, advisory, and funding partner. This collaborative effort among these organizations is aimed at leveraging each other's strengths and resources to ensure the successful realization of the BHCP.

As an individual, there are multiple ways you can actively contribute to the Healthy City initiative and help Bhopal transform into a healthier, more vibrant city. Here are some suggestions:

• Join the People’s Campaign: Participate in events, activities, and initiatives organized in the Healthy City initiative. This could involve attending public forums, joining clean-up drives, or volunteering in community health programs.
• Participate on Social Media: Engage with us on various social media platforms. Share your ideas, suggestions, and experiences. Participate in online discussions, share our content, and help raise awareness about the initiative.
• Support the City-Wide Initiative: Adopt healthier lifestyle choices aligned with the program's goals. This could include using public transportation, reducing waste, consuming nutritious food, and encouraging physical activity. Each individual effort contributes to the overall health of the city.
• Spread the Word: Tell your friends, family, and colleagues about the Healthy City initiative. The more people are aware of and involved in the program, the greater its impact will be.

Remember, no matter how small, every action contributes to the bigger picture of creating a healthier Bhopal. Your participation and support are key to the success of this initiative.