UN marks “World Health Day 2010”

(April 06,2010) The United Nations marks “World Health Day 2010” on Wednesday.
(April 7). In his message for the day, UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon noted that for the first time in history, more people live in cities and towns than in rural areas, and by mid-century urban dwellers will count for 7 out of every 10 people.
Ban’s message also pointed out that most of this explosive growth is occurring in developing countries. He said this will bring about various threats, such as inadequate sanitation and refuse collection; industrial and traffic pollution; infectious diseases that thrive in crowded conditions; physical inactivity; unhealthy diets, crime, violence and the use of harmful substances. Ban said to a large extent these problems lie beyond the control of the health sector but there is also reason for optimism, as the root causes of urban health problems are known.
On World Health Day, more than 700 cities worldwide will share their success stories, showing through their policies and interventions on how to make cities - healthy places to live.