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.
Within the health, wellbeing and nutrition domain, we are focusing on the following cities:
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Building capacity and raising awareness around urban issues in Lagos
Following a capacity building workshop held by DevReporting, eight selected journalists have received one-on-one editorial guidance from mentors to help strengthen their evidence gathering and maximise story quality and impact.
Organic composting and tricycle operator cooperatives: Tackling Accra’s growing waste crisis through action research
Around 60% of Accra’s residents live in informal settlements characterised by inadequate infrastructure for solid waste management. ACRC is conducting two action research projects aimed at addressing the city’s solid waste management challenges.