Global urban health experts wrapped up the 2026 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit in Rio de Janeiro this week with a renewed push to tackle noncommunicable diseases and injuries — which account for more than 80% of deaths worldwide — as reported in a World Health Organisation (WHO) news item. Co-hosted by WHO, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Vital Strategies, and Rio’s Municipal Health Secretariat, the summit drew health officials, urban planners, and experts from 55 cities to share proven, scalable solutions already saving lives.
With more than half the world now living in cities, urban leaders are uniquely placed to drive evidence-based policies that cut health risks at scale. Heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory illness, and road traffic injuries remain the world’s leading killers, and city governments are increasingly at the front line of fighting back. Baltimore joined the Partnership during the summit, bringing new energy to overdose prevention — now a priority for 11 cities in the network.
Participants visited Rio’s schools and health clinics to see firsthand how global commitments translate into real action. Showcased initiatives included free tobacco cessation services embedded across Rio’s health system, a citywide programme eliminating ultra-processed food from public schools, and a data-driven heat health protocol triggering early interventions like cooling centers and public alerts — a potential model for cities worldwide.
Cities across the network are building on these gains: Athens expanded naloxone access to prevent opioid deaths; Bengaluru strengthened smoke-free laws; Dublin used data to grow safe cycling infrastructure; Mexico City redesigned streets for cyclists; and Montevideo set nutrition standards across public institutions. The summit’s message was clear — when cities act with purpose and evidence, health outcomes improve fast.
