Assessing linkages between public health and population densities in cities and urban environment

Negrón-Martínez, E

The global challenges and trends of our time include natural ecosystems disturbances and the global burden of disease attributable to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and emerging infectious diseases like coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Summed to this problem is the still undervalued accountability of economic and environmental sustainability in most nations. Many densely population settled cities around the world account for up to 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions mainly because of their substantial use of energy for buildings, industries, and transportation. Continued increases in urbanization are also driving more exposure to air pollution, water shortages, and waste-related risks to the population. This research aimed to show key connections between the multi-sectoral and interdependent determinants of health. The method followed a systematic review of primary and secondary data on various topics, including global health, environmental health indicators, socio-economic factors, and linkages between economic and environmental sustainability. Literature determines by 2050, 66% of the world's population projected to inhabit urban areas mostly. In 2012, the global burden of disease study by using the Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) metric estimated that 23% of global deaths were attributable to the environment. DALYs metric compares years of life lost due to mortality and years of life lost due to disability by a specific cause, including the burden of risk factors, diseases, lifestyles, or individual's socio-economic status. Leading causes globally due to road traffic injuries, interpersonal violence, and suicide, take a substantial toll on those socio-economic factors. Health is a crucial attribute of human development in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievable by scaling up the implementation of these goals in universal, holistic, and inclusive pathways. Hence, advancing sustainability policies to prosperous, healthier humanity. KEY MESSAGES: Public health's diverse components attained when there is a shared vision in the multidisciplinary teams to disease prevention and health promotion of all individuals that make up societies. Research and science communication should translate both the ideas of scientific progress and its implications for policies, economies and people's lifestyle choices.