City leaders from across Latin America will gather in Medellín to share experiences and promote public health strategies aimed at preventing noncommunicable diseases—such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer—as well as injuries.
From July 14 to 16, Medellín will host the Healthy Cities Alliance’s Regional Workshop on Public Policy for Latin America. The event will bring together representatives from local governments, public health experts, and international organizations from Bogotá and Cali (Colombia); Buenos Aires (Argentina); Guadalajara, León, and Mexico City (Mexico); Quito (Ecuador); Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic); and Lima (Peru).
The delegations will participate in technical discussions, peer-learning sessions, and hands-on workshops focused on advancing urban policies that promote healthier environments.
The selection of Medellín as the host city recognizes its leadership in promoting healthy environments and implementing strategies that improve the population’s quality of life. The city has distinguished itself within the alliance for its policy on smoke- and aerosol-free spaces, as well as for its “Free to…” strategy—initiatives it will share with the other delegations during the meeting.
Natalia López Delgado, Medellín’s Secretary of Health, reported that: “During these sessions, we will present our Public Mental Health Policy, which includes a specific component for the prevention of psychoactive substance use. Within this framework, we developed the ‘Libres para’ strategy, through which we have reached every educational institution in Medellín, established spaces that are 100% free of tobacco smoke and aerosols, raised awareness among more than 212,000 people, and encouraged 750 high school and college students to voluntarily turn in their vapes or e-cigarettes, committing to quit using them and protect their health.”
One of the highlights of the workshop will be a presentation on Medellín’s experience in designing and implementing policies to regulate tobacco and e-cigarettes.
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The Healthy Cities Alliance is a network of more than 70 cities around the world. Bringing together Latin American leaders in Medellín represents an opportunity to highlight their leadership in implementing policies that promote smoke- and aerosol-free environments, with a special emphasis on protecting children and young people. It is a privilege to be part of this process and to share these achievements with the rest of Latin America,” said Melissa Córdoba, deputy regional director of the Healthy Cities Alliance.
The delegations will learn about some of the programs and initiatives that Medellín has developed in public health and social innovation, including its mental health strategy, which consists of the Escuchaderos, the 106 Hotline, the Golden Code, and the Libres Para Listening Centers, which bring psychological care and substance abuse prevention to different areas of the city.
This initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Vital Strategies—organizations that help cities develop healthier, safer, and more equitable urban environments. The delegations will learn about some of the programs and initiatives that Medellín has developed in public health and social innovation, including its mental health strategy, which consists of the Escuchaderos, the 106 Hotline, the Golden Code, and the Libres Para Listening Centers, which bring psychological care and prevention of psychoactive substance use to different areas of the city.
