A new global initiative, Resilient Cities, Reimagining Health, has been launched to confront the growing intersection of climate change and public health in urban environments. Introduced by the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities) and the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Health Systems Task Force, the partnership brings together 22 cities across 15 countries, home to over 100 million people.
Cities taking part include London, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Lagos, Glasgow, Sydney, and Nairobi. The initiative is supported by major private sector partners, including healthcare and insurance leader Bupa, and consumer goods business, Reckitt.
A Collaborative Platform for Health and Climate Action
At the core of the initiative is a Community Practice, a shared platform designed to support cities in sharing knowledge, tools, and technical expertise. Its key goals include:
- Strengthening the evidence base for preventative health solutions
- Testing climate-sensitive, cost-effective public health interventions
- Creating tools for urban capacity-building
- Promoting how cross-sector stakeholders can enhance city wellbeing
A recent survey, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation and conducted by Yale University School of Public Health with R-Cities, revealed that over 80% of cities are eager to contribute data and participate in pilot programs.
Delivering a New Model for Health Resilience
As climate change continues to escalate public health risks, especially for vulnerable and low-income communities, there is growing recognition that a new approach is needed. Kris Licht, CEO of Reckitt and a member of the Health Systems Task Force, emphasised the urgency. Licht explained that as climate change intensifies public health challenges and impacts healthcare systems, we must apply a top-down, treatment-focused model to a holistic approach that prioritises people’s wellbeing. Cities are at the core of this crisis. This initiative aligns innovation and investment to deliver more resilient, equitable urban health systems. It’s a good example of the collaborative action necessary for a long-term global impact.