Healthy city plans in place

The development of a child friendly city is just one of the many priorities to be explored over the next decade on Leeside.

More than 150 people attended the virtual launch of a ten-year plan to make Cork a healthy city.

They were told about plans to support older people, to support people’s mental health and wellbeing, to build links with the Department of Public Health, to support the development of the Cork Food Policy Council partnership, to reduce harmful use of alcohol and tobacco and to promote sexual health campaigns.

The European Healthy Cities movement is based on a recognition that citizen’s health is not just the responsibility of healthcare services but is largely determined by policies and actions beyond the health sector.

Over the past ten years the Cork Healthy Cities initiative has developed partnerships with the HSE, UCC and the community sector to help fulfil its commitment to create a city that supports the improvement of health and wellbeing of all its people.

The new Cork Healthy Cities Action Plan 2020-2030 was launched on Monday by Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh.

He said: “I am proud to see the work that has been developed over the past ten years to develop Cork as a Healthy City and I am prouder still of the comprehensive work plan that has been set out for the forthcoming ten years.

“I am delighted to read in the Healthy Cities Action Plan that these efforts will be redoubled into the coming decade and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of the Cork Healthy Cities steering group members for their commitment to the development of Cork as a healthy city.”

Denise Cahill, Healthy Cities Coordinator, said: “A WHO Healthy City is one that continually creates and improves its physical and social environments and expands the community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and developing to their maximum potential.”

Greg Straton, Assistant Principal Officer with the Department of Health also spoke at the launch and acknowledged the work that has been taking place in Cork for the past decade.

“Cork has been leading the way in the Healthy Cities agenda at national level. Many excellent inter-agency projects in the city are funded by the Healthy Ireland Fund including the Playful City, Green Spaces for Health, Cork Food Policy Council, the Transport and Mobility Forum and the Age Friendly City,” he said.

See corkhealthycities.com for the full report.