Posted on April 7, 2021
This is an update of my post published on April 7, 2010:
Every year the World Health Organization (part of the United Nations) has a different focus for their special day. When I first wrote this post, in 2010, the theme focused on making cities healthier places to live. After all, more than half of the world population lives in a city, and where I live, in North America, more than 80% of the population lives in a city! Wow!
The WHO called on cities to open up streets and public spaces for health activities (like cycling in the streets and car-free day, clean-up campaigns, or fitness festivals in the park). Before I checked this year's theme, I knew that it would have something to do with COVID-19. And it did: for 2021, the WHO chose "Building a fairer, healthier world." Which doesn't sound like it is about the pandemic, but I read on:
"COVID-19 has hit all countries hard, but its impact has been harshest on those communities which were already vulnerable, who are more exposed to the disease, less likely to have access to quality health care services and more likely to experience adverse consequences as a result of measures implemented to contain the pandemic."
The WHO is calling on all nations to make sure that everybody has living and working conditions that help keep them healthy. AND it's urging all nations to make sure that everyone has equal access to quality health care. I want to add: that includes equitable access to COVID testing, treatment, and vaccinations!
Those are great goals, and we should all urge our governments to address them. Agitate, call, e-mail, protest, and (if / when you are old enough) VOTE!
Back to cities...
If you live in a city, you don't have to wait for your city government to make changes to help you stay healthy. You can start working on your own health and on small-scale projects in your community. So let's talk about how cities can add to their residents' collective health.
One big thing is having a lot of opportunity for exercise. If people can safely and easily walk places as part of their daily life, that helps them keep fit. When people are not staying at home because of the pandemic, having parks and playgrounds and fitness and recreation centers available also helps. Having bike paths and urban trails helps. Having dance and gymnastics classes and soccer and baseball and basketball leagues helps (again, when those things are possible because COVID numbers go down). Cities can offer 5- and 10-K runs and other exercise-oriented events.
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| My city has trails that connect one park or open area to another. I lived here several years before I ever knew about them! |
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| Bike trails that are separated from auto traffic (as opposed to bike lanes that are right there vying for space with cars!) are much safer ways to enjoy cycling! |
You can look for bike paths, urban trails, classes, and special events that already exist. If there are none, try calling every one of your city council members and ask that they create them! Or you can work with an environmental club, a Scout troop, a school or church to host a fitness-oriented event. Plan now, via Zoom, for next year!
Speaking of Zoom, you can Zoom some fitness and dance classes!
Another help to healthful cities is having a culture of good food rather than sweet-and-fatty fast food. Are the schools in your city serving nutritious meals? Are there plenty of restaurants that offer healthy food choices? Do grocery stores provide lots of fresh produce and nutrition information? How can you encourage more healthful eating in your family, your school, and your city?
Again, don't wait for everyone else to start eating right! You can start right now. A little bit of junk food once in a while is fine for most of us, as long as most of the time we're doing the fresh fruits and veggies, plenty of water, lots of good protein, and whole grains.
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