Understanding the Social Determinants of Urban Health

Housing, food, schooling, health behaviors, work, gender violence, social support, environment, and transportation are just some of the many social factors that impact an individual's access to healthcare, the quality of that service, and their health results in metropolitan places like Dhaka city. In the urban context, these factors are considered societal drivers of health.

Experts at a policy discussion on "Understanding the Social Determinants of Urban Health" noted that, despite widespread development, urban health and its many challenges are often ignored, especially in low- and middle-income nations (LMICs). The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (icddr,b) co-hosted the event. (WHO-TDR).

To better understand the social determinants of urban health in Bangladesh and to identify solutions for implementing intersectional approaches to combat infectious diseases in urban areas, a wide range of experts from the health, research, local representative, bureaucratic, and development sectors were brought together. Johns Hopkins University faculty members were also present, in addition to officials from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),  the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the United Nations.

Evidence-based interventions like public space management, infrastructure assessment, multisectoral involvement, and the commitment, ethics, and stewardship of healthcare service providers and policymakers were highlighted in the policy dialogue as key to promoting inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban health services.