As a discipline, public health began in cities. But with rates of urbanization rapidly expanding around the world, many cities are also unwittingly exposing their citizens to risk factors for two health threats that claim millions of lives each year: noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries.

Every year, over 80% of global deaths are due to these two health threats. Yet by reducing exposure to key risk factors, many of those deaths can be either prevented or postponed, offering the prospect of many more years of well-being and healthier lives.

At the global level, we know that policies to protect people from NCDs and injuries – such as promoting clean air, access to healthy food, safe streets, and protecting people from the effects of harmful substances – are effective and essential. We also know that through the physical and policy environments that they create, city authorities play a critical role in advancing and enforcing these important areas of work. But until now, we have not focused on how their contribution can be monitored.

With this report, that changes. I am delighted to introduce the World Health Organization (WHO) guidance on city-level indicators for tackling NCDs and injuries. It offers a set of indicators that city authorities and partners can use to guide and monitor their own progress on these critical issues within urban environments. The indicators are linked to evidence-based interventions for eight key areas connected to common NCD risk factors, as well as injury prevention for road safety and opioid overdose. Using these indicators allows cities to take ownership of their actions in these areas and to demonstrate how their work is aligned and contributing to national and global commitments to health and well-being.

WHO recognizes the crucial role that cities play in ensuring healthy settings for all. While these indicators cover a specific set of topics, the interlinked nature of urban health challenges means that action in one sector can have benefits in many other sectors. By advancing the areas of work covered by these indicators, cities can move a step closer to ensuring better health for all – a mission that aligns them with national governments, the global health community, and with WHO.

Report by the World Health Organization