This document discusses concepts related to sustainability, public health, and healthy cities. It covers topics like planetary health, climate change, sustainable development, and the WHO's healthy cities initiative. The document also examines principles like precautionary principle and polluter pays. Healthy cities aim to prioritize health through community participation, partnerships, and equitable access to resources that support well-being.

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Politics and Power in Public Health
PLACES + PLANET
Dr Helen Brown
HEALTHY PEOPLE,

2. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Overview
 Sustainability and public health
 Climate change and the ‘Anthropocene’
 Healthy Cities

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Sustainable development
 Originally coming from the Latin sus tenere, meaning ‘to uphold’, our
modern usage of the term ‘sustainability’ at its most basic refers to the
ability to maintain a behaviour or activity at a certain level, to continue
over a period of time, and implies an aspect of balance and lack of
harm or depletion (Langhelle, 1999).
 The term is most often applied to the environment, society and
economy. “…development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs” (Brundtland Report, 1987, p. 41).

4. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
From MDG to SDG…

5. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

6. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

7. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Planetary health?
 One such paradigm shift has been the rise of planetary health as a
distinct discipline:
 "…the achievement of the highest attainable standard of health,
wellbeing, and equity worldwide through judicious attention to the
human systems—political, economic, and social—that shape the
future of humanity and the Earth’s natural systems that define the safe
environmental limits within which humanity can flourish. Put simply,
planetary health is the health of human civilisation and the state of the
natural systems on which it depends." (Whitmee et al. 2015, p. 1978)

8. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Climate change and health

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
The Anthropocene?

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
The Polluter Pays Principle
 As negative impacts to the environment have risen with
increased industrial activities and population growth
worldwide, policy responses at national and international
levels to address such impacts has evolved (COMEST,
2005).
 The Polluter Pays Principle has been applied in
environmental law in many countries in an attempt to make
those responsible for creating pollution financially liable for
the damage it causes to the natural environment
(COMEST, 2005).

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Precautionary Principle
 Four elements have been identified as:
1. taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty;
2. shifting the burden of proof to the proponents of an activity;
3. exploring a wide range of alternatives to possibly harmful actions;
4. and increasing public participation in decision making
(Kriebel et al., 2001)

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Healthy Cities
 A long-term international development initiative that aims
to place health high on the agendas of decision
makers and to promote comprehensive local strategies for
health protection and sustainable development.
 Basic features include community participation and
empowerment, inter-sectoral partnerships, and participant
equity.

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Healthy Cities (WHO)

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
What is a healthy city?
 “A healthy city is one that is continually creating and
improving those physical and social environments and
expanding those community resources which enable
people to mutually support each other in performing all the
functions of life and developing to their maximum
potential.” (WHO, 1998)

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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
A checklist for healthy communities
1. Outdoor air quality
2. Water supply and
sanitation
3. Housing and buildings
4. Food
5. Local shops and services
6. Schools and other
educational institutions
Capon, A. G. & Blakely, E. J. (2007) Checklist for healthy and sustainable communities. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 18(3-4); 51-54.
7. Community spaces
8. Transport and street
connectivity
9. Communication
technology
10.Economy and employment

16. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
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Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
These attributes affect… human health
 levels of physical activity;
 food choices;
 safety and sense of security;
 sound and noise exposure;
 thermal exposure (heat and cold);
 exposure to air and water
pollutants and contaminated land;
Capon, A. G. & Blakely, E. J. (2007) Checklist for healthy and sustainable communities. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 18(3-4); 51-54.
 access and participation
(especially for youth, disabled
people, elderly);
 social connection;
 opportunities for contact with
nature;
 time use (commuting, with
family, for recreation, in
community).

17. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
As well as… the environment
 energy consumption;
 water consumption;
 other resource requirements;
 ecosystem and biodiversity impacts;
 carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions; and
 the production of other pollutants and waste.
Capon, A. G. & Blakely, E. J. (2007) Checklist for healthy and sustainable communities. NSW Public Health Bulletin, 18(3-4); 51-54.

18. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Source:
http://www.climateandhealthalliance.org/ipcc

19. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

20. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

21. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

22. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

23. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Healthy Cities (UNSW)

24. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

25. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Public Health Act 2016 - WA

26. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key concepts
 Sustainable development
 Co-benefits
 Healthy cities

27. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Next week
 Module 9: Wicked Problems and Policies

28. Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Module 3: Healthy Cities and Systems
Health Partnerships, Politics and Power
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Questions & comments

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CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
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