Item - 2011.HL8.1

Cities are important centres for innovation and economic growth.  About 80 percent of the population of Canada now lives in urban areas.  The Toronto region generates almost 20 percent of Canada’s and 45 percent of Ontario’s gross domestic product.  The region is also home to 40 percent of the nation’s business headquarters. 

Many socio-economic and environmental factors affect health. These include: air and water quality, culture, education, employment, housing, income, and social supports. These factors are also important for creating vibrant and thriving cities that attract business and foster economic development and growth. 

Many of the investments in public health in cities in the past focused on prevention of communicable diseases. These diseases have become less important as housing conditions improved and safe water and sanitation infrastructure help control water-borne diseases.  Immunization programs and food safety measures have also prevented many other diseases that once were common.  While continued vigilance is needed to maintain the gains made in controlling communicable diseases there is also the need to address the most important 21^st century threats to health – chronic conditions, such as heart and lung diseases, cancer, and diabetes.  The way cities are built and how well they perform on economic and social factors are critical in providing an environment where people can stay healthy and lead productive lives.

Local governments have a central role in fostering a prosperous and healthy city.  This includes: a) land-use and transportation planning, which sets out the overall structure of the built environment; b) provision of infrastructure for communication, energy distribution, transportation including public transit walking and cycling, clean water and waste management which are services needed for industry, commerce and day- to-day life of people in the city; c) provision of green space and facilities for recreation, culture and learning; d) economic and social support for at-risk and vulnerable people, including support for affordable housing and ; and e) promoting local economic development.  Governments enhance quality of life through service delivery and education, the adoption and enforcement of necessary regulations and bylaws, the creation of partnerships and facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes.  Effective local interventions recognize and respond to the diverse needs of the population, with specific attention to the most vulnerable.  Toronto is already a leader in many areas of civic governance, policy and service provision and can build on the success of the past to create a healthy city for the future.

A prosperous city provides its residents with opportunities for good health; and at the same time, a healthy population is needed for a city to prosper.  Since the conditions where we live, learn, work, and play influence our well-being and the prosperity of the city, it is important to consider how municipal decisions on policies, programmes and services impact health.