Healthy city planning in densely populated countries like India and China may reduce growing epidemics, injuries and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, new research suggests.
The research released in conjunction with the United Nations (UN) quantifies health gains achieved if cities were designed so that shops, facilities, work and public transportation were within walking distance of most residents.
The study tackled how to implement timely research into city design, planning and policy to improve the health of its residents.
According to James F Sallis from University of California, San Diego School of Medicine in the US, shifting from city infrastructure that encourages the use of automobiles to a design providing safe and easy walking, cycling and public transportation options would reduce traffic injuries, air pollution and physical inactivity.
By 2050, the US as well as large cities in China and India are predicted to see their populations increase by 33, 38 and 96 per cent, respectively, researchers wrote in The Lancet journal.
Sprawling residential developments lead to declines in physical activity, increases in air pollution and higher rates of road death and serious injury.
Limitations in the ability of people to walk or cycle in their daily commute makes public transportation expensive to deliver, which can lead to an increase in chronic disease and injury, researchers said.
"Many city leaders around the world are not applying the lessons of research to make cities as healthy as possible," said Sallis.
To improve the effectiveness and implementation of research, the team suggests that studies include collaborations between scientists and multisector policy makers and address questions that are relevant to city leaders, including information about public opinion and costs.
Policy-relevant research should be localised and data presented in briefs and infographics with clear policy implications written for public consumption.
In addition, researchers should directly communicate findings by building relationships with decision-makers.
"City planning policies can affect health, both positively and negatively," said Sallis.
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