A person's zip code affects their life expectancy more than their own genetic code. We often relate chronic diseases to habits such as diet, lack of physical exercise, smoking or heredity. However, the factor that most influences health is the environment in which we live and circumstances such as poverty, lack of decent housing, overcrowding, environmental safety or exclusion … [Read more...] about Healthy Cities: your zip code influences your health more than your genetic code
healthy cities
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?
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?
How to improve the access of migrants, refugees, and displaced people to health?
Every year on June 20, the world celebrates World Refugee Day to honor refugees and displaced people around the world. This year, the focus will be on the right to seek protection. Every person in the world has the right to seek protection, no matter who they are, where they come from or when they have had to flee, including the protection of their health needs. Health is a … [Read more...] about How to improve the access of migrants, refugees, and displaced people to health?
Cities on pedals: The IDB Group’s commitment to cycling infrastructure
Using the bicycle, instead of motorized vehicles, to move around our cities is becoming more and more popular around the world. The health restrictions of the pandemic were, in many cases, the main incentive for some us to discover the benefits of this vehicle. Nevertheless, at the moment, the increase in fuel prices, as a result of the war in Ukraine, is making of cycling … [Read more...] about Cities on pedals: The IDB Group’s commitment to cycling infrastructure