Housing plays a much more important role than is generally recognized. Not only does it satisfy people's basic needs for well-being, protection, safety and health, but it is also the main pillar for overcoming poverty. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), 33.7% of the population lives in poverty. If we add to this the fact that almost half of the region's inhabitants do … [Read more...] about Three strategies to reduce the housing deficit in Latin America and the Caribbean
Has the pandemic exacerbated urban inequality in Latin America?
More than 6.5 million people have died worldwide from COVID-19. Latin America and the Caribbean LAC has been one of the regions most affected by the pandemic, with some of the countries having the highest mortality rates. As mentioned in previous blog posts in this series on Healthy Cities, the region is highly urbanized and has wide health inequities. In this blog, we … [Read more...] about Has the pandemic exacerbated urban inequality in Latin America?
How can cities tackle climate change?
Much has been written and debated about the role of cities as one of the main causes of climate change. Indeed, urban centers are a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, concentrating most of the world's population and most of the world's economic and industrial activity. However, cities have the potential to generate transformative actions aimed at addressing climate … [Read more...] about How can cities tackle climate change?
How does the city I live in affect my health?
Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) cities are spaces of contrasts and inequality. We have recently explained how the place of residence within a city can affect the chances of finding a job, or of being more successful in studies. In today's blog, which is part of a series on Healthy Cities, we will try to answer the following question: why are people healthier in some … [Read more...] about How does the city I live in affect my health?
Why are cities so important for health?
There are many variables that affect our health, both at the individual and community level. Among the latter, as the COVID experience has made clear, urban services play a fundamental role in the health of the population. But this role is not relevant only at times of health crises; urban services are also fundamental for improving public health in a comprehensive manner for … [Read more...] about Why are cities so important for health?