J Korean Med Assoc.  2011 Aug;54(8):884-891. 10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.884.

Healthy cities approach as a new paradigm of public health policy

• Kim J
• Jhang WG
• Kang E
• Koh K
• Kim KY
• Park KJ
• Park YH

• KMID: 2191149
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2011.54.8.884

Abstract

The healthy cities approach emphasizes the role of the leadership of local governments in promoting the health of the population in city settings. The concept emerged from public health strategies declared in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, and reflects the characteristics of the third public health revolution. The Korean healthy cities movement, characterized by voluntary participation of local governments in the Alliance for Healthy Cities, has grown rapidly in recent years. A strong push of the healthy cities movement by a local government without a profound commitment to the vision may hinder the effective and sustainable development of the movement. By reviewing the historical background and significance of the healthy cities movement and its underlying concepts, and illustrating the main strategies and goals of the movement, that is, the development of partnerships, community participation and empowerment, and working in networks for stimulating change, this article argues that the healthy cities movement is a potent vehicle for implementing the new paradigm of public health introduced to local governments. We also argue that the Korean healthy cities movement needs more active participants and more support of the central government and other related stakeholders.

Keyword

Korea; Healthy city; Public health; Community participation; Network

MeSH Terms

Consumer Participation
Health Promotion
Korea
Local Government
Natural Resources
Power (Psychology)
Public Health
Vision, Ocular

Figure

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  Figure 1 Healthy Cities meta-theory. Adapted from de Leeuw [19] with permission from Oxford University Press.

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