Futures

Exploring the WHO Course on Developing and Sustaining Healthy Cities in 20 Steps, (from page 20250323d.)

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Summary

The course ‘How to develop and sustain a healthy city in 20 steps’ on WHO’s OpenWHO platform guides participants through essential practices of the Healthy Cities movement. Organized into three modules—getting started, getting organized, and taking action—the course includes 20 steps that provide practical guidance and showcase successful policies and projects through videos. Participants receive quizzes and can earn certificates and badges. The course aims to empower stakeholders, particularly city governments and coordinators, in enhancing health determinants through collaboration. It serves as a reference for implementing or reviewing the Healthy Cities approach, enriching participants with valuable insights from over 35 years of experience.

Signals

name description change 10-year driving-force relevancy
Online Education for Urban Health WHO’s new online course focuses on healthy city development over 20 steps. Shift from traditional learning methods to online capacity-building for city health stakeholders. More city planners and officials will be trained online, leading to better urban health policies. Increased accessibility to knowledge and resources through digital platforms for public health education. 4
Healthy Cities Approach The course reinforces the Healthy Cities movement principles for urban development. Transition from isolated health initiatives to integrated, community-focused urban health strategies. Cities will adopt more holistic health planning frameworks, considering social determinants of health. Growing recognition of the interconnection between urban planning and public health outcomes. 5
Collaboration Between Stakeholders The course encourages collaboration among city governments and professional coordinators. Move from siloed decision-making to collaborative governance in urban health initiatives. A more interconnected network of stakeholders will lead to comprehensive urban health improvements. Need for multifaceted approaches to address complex urban health challenges. 4
Certification in Urban Health Practices Participants receive certification for completing the online course on urban health. Emerge from informal knowledge-sharing to recognized qualifications in urban health practices. A standard for urban health expertise will evolve, influencing hiring and policy-making. Desire for recognized qualifications in a growing field of urban health. 3
Use of Digital Badges Participants can earn Open Badges for course completion, demonstrating skills. Shift from traditional diplomas to digital credentials for showcasing skills. Digital credentials will become essential for professional development in various fields, including public health. Increased emphasis on verifiable skill sets in professional environments. 4

Concerns

name description relevancy
Public Health Disparities Inequities in health outcomes could persist or widen if Healthy Cities principles are not adequately implemented by all city governments. 4
Sustainability Challenges Long-term effectiveness of Healthy Cities initiatives may be undermined by resource limitations or changing political priorities. 4
Engagement Gaps Potential lack of engagement from local stakeholders could hinder the successful adoption of the Healthy Cities approach. 3
Measurement of Success Without clear metrics and outcomes, it may be difficult to assess the impact of the course and the Healthy Cities initiatives. 3
Digital Divide Access to the online course may be limited for disadvantaged populations, perpetuating inequality in health education. 4
Quality of Implementation Variability in the application of course principles can lead to inconsistent health improvements across cities. 4

Behaviors

name description relevancy
Online Learning in Public Health Widespread engagement in online courses focused on public health principles, specifically community well-being. 4
Collaborative Governance Strengthening partnerships between city governments and coordinators to enhance decision-making for health determinants. 5
Practical Capacity Building Emphasis on practical guidance and capacity-building through structured courses, quizzes, and certification. 4
Recognition through Digital Credentials Use of Open Badges and certificates to motivate and recognize achievements in public health education. 3
Systems Thinking in Urban Health Adopting a holistic view to understand and manage the interrelated aspects of urban health sustainability. 4

Technologies

description relevancy src
Courses like ‘How to develop and sustain a healthy city’ using digital platforms for education and certification. 4 913d0269ceb45988ccb27e8f60b4f3c7
A digital credential awarded for completing courses, symbolizing achievements and skills in the Healthy Cities initiative. 3 913d0269ceb45988ccb27e8f60b4f3c7
Facilitated online settings where stakeholders can share ideas and strategies for urban health initiatives. 4 913d0269ceb45988ccb27e8f60b4f3c7
Training programs aimed at equipping city governments and partners with skills to improve public health. 5 913d0269ceb45988ccb27e8f60b4f3c7

Issues

name description relevancy
Online Health Education The growing trend of online courses aimed at health promotion and urban sustainability reflects a shift towards digital learning in public health. 4
Sustainable Urban Development The focus on healthy cities highlights the increasing importance of sustainable practices in urban planning and development. 5
Collaborative Governance in Health The emphasis on collaboration between city governments and health coordinators signals a need for integrated approaches in health policy making. 4
Capacity Building in Public Health The course represents a movement towards enhanced capacity building in public health sectors to tackle urban health challenges effectively. 4
Data-Driven Health Interventions Using data-driven insights from past implementations could evolve into a key strategy for future health interventions in cities. 3
Certification in Public Health Training The integration of achievement certificates and badges in public health training may become a common practice, enhancing credibility and motivation. 3