As our planet faces increasing urbanisation, public health experts are spearheading innovation for adjusting to this.
We know that cities can make us ill: according to figures from the International Diabetes Federation, in 2014 there were 387 million people globally suffering from diabetes and in 2015 there were 415 million people living with the disease. Two-thirds of those people live in cities, experiencing poor diet and sedentary lifestyles.
And our mental health suffers in cities, too. Urban living has been found to raise the risk of anxiety and mood disorders by 21% and 39% respectively.
While half the world population currently lives in a city, this is predicted to rise to two-thirds by 2050. As they grow, cities will play a crucial role in finding solutions to many of our greatest public health challenges, from obesity and diabetes to communicable diseases like tuberculosis.
With public health systems overstretched, and local governments pressed on all sides for resources and money, innovative solutions are needed. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could be a source of new thinking, getting projects off the ground.
So how can cities best build on PPPs to create health systems and fresh thinking so that our urban world will be a healthy one? How can public health bodies capitalise on the skills of the private sector without losing control? How can cities ensure equal access to healthcare for all residents? And what role should city mayors and other local government figures play in establishing innovative partnerships for health?
Join an expert panel on Thursday 8 December, from 2pm to 3.30pm GMT, to discuss these questions and more.
The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Want to recommend someone for the panel or ask a question in advance? Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or @GuardianGDP on Twitter. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive.
