On 07 October 2024, the Department of Health hosted the National Health Promotion and Environment Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. This significant event brought together public health professionals, experts, and leaders in health promotion and environmental health from across the nation. The opening presentation by Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health set the stage for the conference, emphasizing the importance of a life course approach to health promotion.
Dr. Jos Vandelaer, WHO Representative to Thailand, delivered a presentation on "A Journey to Health and Well-being through Healthy Cities." He painted a vivid picture of the stark contrast between unhealthy and healthy cities. Unhealthy cities, he explained, suffer from overpopulation, poor infrastructure, pollution, lack of safety, disease outbreaks, inequalities, and poor governance. In contrast, healthy cities prioritize people, boast good infrastructure, clean air, safety, minimal inequalities, good governance, recreational options, and greenery. He highlighted the successful initiatives of Seoul, Melbourne, and Yokohama as shining examples.
Dr. Vandelaer also shed light on global trends impacting health and well-being, such as urbanization, climate change, public health crises, food security, commercial determinants of health, and geopolitical conflicts. He stressed the need for a vision of a healthy city that prioritizes health and well-being, fosters collaboration between public sectors and communities, promotes equity and social support, and creates environments that encourage healthy choices.
Thailand has made remarkable progress in promoting healthy cities. In 2024, the Department of Health awarded 274 healthy cities in Thailand." Dr. Amporn announced an ambitious target of 1000 healthy cities by 2027, aiming to promote healthy people, environments, and settings. The country's success is attributed to high-level leadership from the Ministry of Public Health, a robust award and recognition system, sustained investments in the Healthy City program with local authority support, and continuous learning and exchange across cities.
In the inaugural run of the WHO South East Asia Regional network of healthy cities, four out of the 11 cities to be recognized as “Healthy City” are from Thailand. These cities also achieved the over-all highest scores from expert assessments.
Dr. Vandelaer concluded his presentation with a powerful call to action, urging health professionals to engage in health promotion activities, ensure access to health facilities, advocate for healthy cities, and involve communities in the operations of health facilities. The ultimate goal is to continuously improve the quality of life in communities and promote better health and well-being.
The event also featured an inspiring panel discussion on "Success Stories in Health Promotion and Environmental Health" by distinguished recipients of the Princess Health Awards 2024 from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. They shared their experiences and success stories in promoting health and environmental sustainability, providing valuable insights and inspiration for attendees.
The conference was a testament to the collaborative efforts of health professionals, academia, civil society, and community leaders in promoting and innovating for health and well-being. It underscored the importance of a holistic approach to health promotion, considering the life course approach and the role of healthy cities in creating healthier and more sustainable communities.