When we talk about health, we tend to focus on the absence of disease. However, health encompasses many more aspects than simply health. According to the WHO definition, «Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.»
Health depends largely on the socioeconomic, cultural and environmental conditions in which we live, since they influence access to the resources and opportunities we have to stay healthy or restore our health, and even the control we have over them. . . These conditions are called Social Determinants of Health, Some of them are education, housing, work, environmental conditions or health services, among others.
Given the great variety of factors that intervene in our health, it is necessary to carry out actions from all sectors and political areas. It is what is known as «Health in All Policies». This means working in a coordinated and intersectoral manner from many disciplines, seeking a collaborative approach in making decisions that improve the health of individuals and communities.
Among the most important social determinants is our environmentBoth the homes and the cities or towns in which we live have a decisive influence on our physical, social or mental health. It is important to improve and create environments that are a source of health. and that contribute to preventing diseases, enabling healthier options that promote people’s well-being and that contribute to developing healthier lifestyle habits (green areas, elimination of architectural barriers, meeting spaces, etc.).
In this context, meterDoctors and architects have joined forces to promote healthier cities as a fundamental factor in the comprehensive approach to health.
The General Council of Official Colleges of Physicians (CGCOM) and the Superior Council of the Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) have signed a collaboration agreement by which both institutions undertake to carry out joint training and informative actions to promote the creation of healthy spaces and cities and reducing the impact of risk factors that influence the health and well-being of the population derived from global warming.
Climate change has important consequences for the health of the population due to increased temperatures, intense rainfall, increased pollution, reduced biodiversity, etc. It is necessary to take into account the risks that these phenomena pose for people’s health, and adapt our homes, cities and towns to withstand and reduce their impact, as well as carry out actions to ensure that they do not increase in a critical and irreversible way. and even mitigate them.
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In this sense, our building stock needs a profound transformation to meet the European zero-emissions objectives for 2050 and be ready to withstand the effects of global warming, as well as to respond to the needs of the population (accessibility, energy efficiency…). But not only do we have to carry out actions in our buildings, the urban approach also has to provide answers in terms of health, promoting green areas and spaces prepared to mitigate the effects of global warming, as well as promoting accessibility, sustainable mobility and cohesion. . social.
This is why this agreement between doctors and architects is so important, since by adding the knowledge and efforts of these two groups of professionals, the population can be made even more aware of the importance of our homes, buildings, towns, cities and territories improve their quality and gain health and sustainability, through the adaptation of public spaces and housing.
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