For the first time in history, more people are now living in urban settings than in rural areas.
Cities concentrate people, opportunities and service but also concentrate risks and hazards for health.
On World Health Day 2010, WHO calls on a wide range of groups, from municipal authories and the private sector, to concerned citizens, non-governmental organizations and advocates for healthy living - to address the unfair differences in people's health in cities and towns.
This video takes a look at the five calls to action to make cities healthy and features health experts and advocates such as WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Denmark, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York, Youssou N'Dour, President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge and children from cities. The song "Unplugged" featured in the video is contributed by three concerned teenage city dwellers, the Bonde.
For more information on World Health Day please visit:
who.int/whd2010