Health, wellbeing and nutrition
Many residents in African cities face considerable challenges relating to health, nutrition and wellbeing, along with marginalisation or exclusion in accessing healthcare – especially those living in poverty. Yet these difficulties are often masked within wider data and policy debates by the so-called “urban advantage”.
Poor access to clean water, sanitation and affordable quality health services, as well as malnutrition, have made many people living in African cities – particularly in informal settlements – vulnerable to communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis. The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the extent of health vulnerabilities in cities and the wider consequences for national and global health security, along with the fragility of food and nutrition security in many urban centres.
Improving integration between multiple city systems – including healthcare, food, water and sanitation, waste management, energy and spatial planning – is key to securing better health, wellbeing and nutrition outcomes for residents in African cities. This domain looks at the political dimensions underlying the ability of governments to provide affordable, higher quality health services and food, exploring potential policy approaches and interventions to improve access and availability.
![Health wellbeing and nutrition domain map](https://www.african-cities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/HWN-map_transparent.png)
LATEST NEWS from ACRC
![Analysis of urban reform coalitions awarded best 2024 paper by Area Development and Policy](https://www.african-cities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ADP-award-blog-1080x600.jpg)
Analysis of urban reform coalitions awarded best 2024 paper by Area Development and Policy
ACRC’s CEO, Diana Mitlin, has been awarded the best paper of 2024 by Area Development and Policy for “The contribution of reform coalitions to inclusion and equity: lessons from urban social movements”.
![New research: Are reform coalitions the key to more inclusive urban housing in Africa?](https://www.african-cities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Housing-paper-blog-1080x600.jpg)
New research: Are reform coalitions the key to more inclusive urban housing in Africa?
By 2050, it is projected that African cities will become home to an additional 950 million people – all of whom will need housing. A new ACRC report outlines findings from the housing domain research, which was implemented in seven African cities.
![New research: Overcoming systemic barriers facing young people in African cities](https://www.african-cities.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Youth-and-capability-development-paper-blog-1080x600.jpg)
New research: Overcoming systemic barriers facing young people in African cities
A new ACRC paper presents research into the challenges facing young people as they transition to adulthood in five African cities: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Freetown; Sierra Leone; Kampala, Uganda; Maiduguri, Nigeria; and Mogadishu, Somalia.