Short Course on Healthy Cities and Urban Health Policy

Overview of the Course

This short training course is designed to acquaint researchers, practitioners, and policy makers with principles and methods for healthy cities and urban health policy. First, participants will learn what a Healthy Cities initiative is. Second, they will learn what is required from other players in order to create a Healthy City. This "multisectoral collaboration" includes community participation and the application of information technology. Third, participants will learn what they themselves are required to do in order to create a Healthy City. This "capacity development" includes planning, implementation, and evaluation. Finally, participants will learn about the existing circumstances that Healthy Cities initiatives operate in. This includes information about community health, occupational health, public health systems, and environmental health. In addition to acquiring these theoretical frameworks and practical skills, participants will have opportunities to visit various places, institutions, and municipalities actively involved in urban health policy and urban development in general

Applicant Profile

This training course is suitable for those who are involved or interested in research, practice, administration, policymaking, or other areas related to health and urban research including Healthy Cities.

Objectives of the Course

Upon completion of the course, participants will:

Have enhanced knowledge and understanding of:

  • determinants of health in an urban context
  • urban planning conducive to health development
  • intersectoral collaboration
  • community activities and community participation
  • indicator analysis
  • city health profiles
  • the global Healthy Cities movement in theory and practice

Possess practical skills to:

  • nalyze indicators and create a city health profile
  • formulate an action plan/ city health plan
  • monitor and evaluate the progress of a Healthy Cities project
  • share information effectively with various agencies, actors, and citizens
  • develop a city master plan that maximizes health benefits
  • use information technology such as Geographical Information System (GIS)
  • apply benefits from urban development to health gains

Have exposures to a variety of topics
Besides topics and areas described above, other topics covered during the course include:

  • Information Technology (IT) for health
  • Arts and Health
  • Urban Development and Health Systems in Japan

Course Format

The course will be a combination of lectures, seminars, hands-on workshops, and site visits. In addition to the teaching staffs, researchers, mayors, policy makers, administrators, community workers and other professionals involved in urban development will also lead lectures, case presentations, and field discussions. Contents of the course vary according to the length of the course. The contents could also be customized to meet specific needs and objectives of participants.

Length of the Course

The course is available in various lengths: 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months.

Certificate Given

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate.

Language

English

Core Teaching Staff

  • Dr. Takehito TAKANO, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Policy Research; Professor, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Coordinator of the course)
  • Dr. Kazuo KAWAHARA, Professor, Health Policy
  • Dr. Koichi KAWABUCHI, Professor, Health Economics
  • Dr. Yoko KAWAGUCHI, Professor, Oral Health Promotion
  • Dr. Keiko NAKAMURA, Associate Professor, International Health
  • Dr. Ikuko MORIO, Professor, Educational Development
  • Dr. Seino Kaoruko, Assistant Professor, International Health

Past Courses

Click here to see past programs.

Details of the course and Timetables for Model Programs

1 Week Course
2 Week Course

Course Fee

Required

Further Information

If you wish to obtain further information on this training course, please contact the following:
WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Policy Research Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Tokyo Medical and Dental University
1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5803-4048
e-mail: whocc.ith@tmd.ac.jp