What is a Healthy City?

In 1977, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the idea of Health for All, recognising that health is more than the absence of disease but includes physical, mental and social aspects. Healthy Cities was established by WHO in 1986 to turn the principles of Health for All into practice. Healthy Cities projects promote innovation and change in local health policy and advocate new approaches to public health.

The Healthy Cities approach means process, not just outcomes. A Healthy City is not necessarily one that has achieved a particular health status. It is conscience of health as an urban issue and is striving to improve it. Any city can be a healthy city if is committed to health and has a structure and process to work for its improvement.

Healthy Cities Onkaparinga

Healthy Cities Onkaparinga (formerly Healthy Cities Noarlunga) is sponsored and supported by Southern Adelaide Health Service and has strong links with the City of Onkaparinga and Flinders University. HCO is a coalition of agencies and community members which addresses health issues using the World Health Organisation’s ‘Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion’ as its primary reference.

Healthy Cities Onkaparinga has developed a process that provides community members with the opportunity not only to raise important health issues with representatives from the public and private sector, but also the opportunity to work with these groups to address the health issues.

Healthy Cities Onkaparinga is directed by a Management Committee, which includes eight community members and seven members from organisations and agencies committed to promoting the health of the Onkaparinga community.

Healthy Cities Noarlunga was established in 1987 as one of three cities to test the European Healthy Cities model in Australia. In 2008 we changed our name to Healthy Cities Onkaparinga in line with local government changes and to better reflect the area of our activities.

For more information: E-mail: enquiries@healthycitiesonkaparinga.org.au