In partnership with Khon Kaen University, RL-UGHW conducted a workshop for Thai health officials on 4th April 2025. Organised by the Ministry of Public Health and WHO Thailand Country Office, the workshop hosted in Khon Kaen province focused on building the capacity of cities to develop comprehensive health profiles.
Based on the Assessment Framework for the WHO Regional Healthy Cities for South-East Asia, officials brainstormed on existing and potential avenues of data which could contribute to the holistic assessment of the city’s health, spanning 45 indicators of social determinants of health. These covered the domains of: Livelihood and living conditions, Socioeconomic and work conditions, Urban infrastructure and facilities, Public health system and welfare services, and Urban governance.
Fifty representatives from 9 Thai cities – Ban Phai, Huana Kham, Kalasin, Khao Suan Kwang, Khon Kaen, Kuchinarai, Mahasarakham, Roi Et and Somdet – joined onsite alongside approximately a hundred participants who tuned in online. Over the course of the 1-day workshop, participants mapped out existing gaps in data infrastructure and considered potential means that could better facilitate data collection..
This session highlighted the importance of building robust data infrastructures which support evidence-based policy and planning, and in turn facilitate efficient allocation of resources and budgets. As we look to address issues such as climate change, data strengthens urban resilience and cultivates deeper trust with transparency of data.
Data collection and analysis is an ongoing process as the population and world changes. It is paramount that we build strong data systems and mechanisms so that we are equipped to constantly learn, adapt and innovate to promote healthier lives in our cities.
