Cape Town joins global Partnership for Healthy Cities drive

CAPE Town has signed up to be part of the global campaign towards building healthier cities.

As a participant in the Partnership for Healthy Cities, the Cape Town city council aims to implement steps to reduce risk factors for “non-communicable diseases and injuries” by 2018 and to “improve environments where people live, work and play”.

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Ambassador for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), has embarked on a mission to convince global city leaders to beat “NCDs and injuries with smart, proven policies that will advance health and strengthen economies”.

Each year 44 million people die worldwide, as a result of NCDs which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and injuries caused by roadtraffic crashes, said Bloomberg.

Mayor Patricia De Lille said: “Our focus will be on diabetes which is a silent killer and can be prevented and treated effectively through proper nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle. In South Africa 52% of deaths every year are attributable to non-communicable diseases and injuries.

“We must take bold steps to help our citizens live healthier, longer lives and reduce the economic toll these NCDs and injuries take on our city.”

Although NCDs cause 67% of deaths in poor and middle-income countries, only 1% of health funding is used to fight it and with the majority of the world’s population being urbanised, cities are perfectly positioned to be able to implement policies which could reduce exposure to risk factors,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg Philanthropies have committed $5 million to the initiative for providing assistance to participating cities.