Regional Webinar Key Takeaways | Hosted by WHO SEARO & UGHW Chulalongkorn University
Overview: A Regional Call to Action
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain the leading cause of mortality in the South-East Asia Region, accounting for nearly 70% of all deaths. Addressing the behavioral and environmental risk factors, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets, requires more than clinical intervention; it demands a transformation of urban governance and environments.
This webinar brought together regional leaders and urban pioneers to share evidence-based strategies and “city showcase” success stories, providing a roadmap for healthier, more resilient cities.
Leadership & Technical Guidance
Regional Approach: WHO Technical Guidance
Dr. Suvajee Good | Regional Advisor for Social Determinants of Health, WHO SEARO
Dr. Good presented the WHO-SEARO Technical Guidance on Healthy Lifestyles, providing a data-driven look at the NCD crisis.
- The Challenge: Over 294 million adults in the region live with hypertension; only a fraction have it under control.
- Top Recommendations: She outlined ten evidence-based strategies for local governments, emphasizing the integration of NCD prevention across all sectors—from street design to school-based programs and primary healthcare strengthening.
City Showcases: Innovation in Action
1. Khulna, Bangladesh: Championing School-Based Health
Dr. Sharif Shamil Islam | Chief Health Officer, Khulna City Corporation
Dr. Sharif Shamil Islam detailed Khulna city’s strategic actions developed from WHO’s “UrbanLead” urban leadership program on governance for health and well-being, focusing on community engagement.
Key Takeaways:
- Implementation of “Healthy Tiffin” competitions and school health seminars to combat rising sugar consumption (97% of the population consumes sugar-sweetened beverages).
- Institutionalizing leadership for health at the municipal level through the WHO “Urbanlead” approach
- A focus on participatory processes to ensure community buy-in for NCD strategies
2. Bangkok, Thailand: Transforming Mobility for Health
Mr. Sayan Thasanakosol | Director of Traffic Engineering Office, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Focusing on the “Safe Metropolis” ecosystem, Mr. Sayan showcased how Bangkok is redesigning its infrastructure to promote active living while reducing road fatalities.
Key Takeaways:
- 1,100+ km of Upgraded Footpaths: Making the city walkable to encourage daily physical activity.
- Green Commuting: The completion of nearly 130 km of green commuting paths and revitalized canal networks for safe walking and cycling.
- Innovative Road Safety: Implementing colorful crosswalks and protective bollards to reduce the 17 fatalities per 100k population target.
3. Bengaluru, India: The Fight Against Tobacco
Dr. Thriveni | City Technical Lead, Partnership for Healthy Cities
Dr. Thriveni presented deep insights in policy enforcement and public health advocacy efforts to target tobacco and “hookah” use in public spaces.
Key Takeaways:
- Smoke-Free Bengaluru: Successful enforcement drives and baseline surveys that led to the banning of hookah bars in Karnataka.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Building trust with enforcing agencies and “mindful politicians” to bypass industry interference.
- “Voice of the Victim” Programs: Using real-life stories to drive behavioral change and policy support.
4. Jaffna, Sri Lanka: Integrated Primary Health Care
Prof. R. Surenthirakumaran | Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
Professor Surenthirakumaran shared how Jaffna is integrating health promotion into the existing social fabric of the city.
Key Takeaways:
- Multisectoral Partnerships: Establishing and strengthening collaboration between the health, education, and municipal sectors.
- Youth Advocacy: Using cycling campaigns and adolescent clinics to engage young people in NCD prevention.
- Green Jaffna Project: Integrating NCD strategies into urban development planning to ensure long-term sustainability.
Healthy Space Next Door: Community Design Toolkit
Ms. Thanchanok Wongtavilarp | Senior Urban Designer, Healthy Space Forum
Ms. Thanchanok presented a practical toolkit, designed in partnership with WHO, to support cities in co-creating healthy spaces, regardless of size or budget.
Key Concepts:
- “Size Doesn’t Matter, Accessibility Does”: Public spaces don’t need to be massive; they ought to be within a 15-minute walk.
- The City Lab Model: A five-step process (Discover, Design, Test, Evaluate, Implement) to foster collaboration between urban designers, local governments, and civil society.
- Diverse Contexts: Specialized design approaches for high-density urban areas, semi-urban zones, and informal settlements (slums).
Summary & Way Forward
Summary of Strategic Actions:
- Institutionalization: Scale projects into integrated actions for health in municipal budgets and laws.
- Capacity Building: Empower the community and local leaders to champions for Healthy Cities
- Data Infrastructure: Implement systems to track NCD trends at the city level to guide evidence-based policy.
Across the sharings by city representatives and experts, there was consensus on the importance of the “Health in All Policies” approach as well as multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure the sustainability of efforts.
By placing health at the center of urban planning, we can design our cities for a better tomorrow.
For access to more materials and tools, please explore RL-UGHW’s Sharing Hub.
