Many urban food systems are failing to ensure healthy food is accessible to everyone. Improving access to fresh, nutritious and healthier food can become a powerful driving force towards preventing obesity, chronic heart disease and type 2 diabetes. We take action to ensure that healthy food is available, affordable and appealing for vulnerable communities. We partner with local authorities to make nutritious foods available in schools and other community settings. Empowering communities with knowledge about nutrition and providing access to affordable and appealing healthy food options are critical steps.

Physical activity has significant health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds, and being physically active is a crucial lifestyle component that helps prevent diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. This is widely understood, yet globally, 1 in 4 adults do not meet recommended levels of physical activity, and more than 80% of the world's adolescent population is insufficiently physically active.⁹ We are taking action to ensure that urban activity and mobility are accessible and appealing to vulnerable populations and children. We work to increase access to physical activity through schools and communities with our local and global partners. 

Globally, 1 in 5 children aged 5-19 are affected by overweight and obesity.² Childhood obesity can put a strain on the individual’s health and set the stage for the early onset of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Ending childhood obesity is pivotal to securing a healthier future and reversing the trend of chronic diseases to the benefit of society at large. That’s why we are leveraging our decade of experience from the Cities for Better Health programme to initiate the Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative.

With the new initiative we are working intensively with partners in six cities to co-design, implement, and evaluate packages of evidence-based interventions in disadvantaged communities to impact health outcomes for children. Read more about it here.

Preventing chronic disease in cities starts with identifying and exploring novel solutions to these large health challenges. Novo Nordisk has driven a range of innovation challenges, and now, Cities for Better Health is continuing this legacy of innovation. This year, Cities for Better Health is launching the Healthy Cities Challenge.

The Healthy Cities Challenge is an open innovation challenge launched in partnership with C40. The aim is to identify and support promising initiatives that work to shape urban environments in a way that supports the health and well-being of local communities. These could be projects that create healthier food environments, urban planning that promotes physical activity and mental health, or other city-based initiatives that facilitate healthy living. For more information on how to apply, please visit Healthy Cities Challenge.

Learn about the 2022 Healthy Childhood Challenge and 2020 Healthy Food Challenge and be inspired by what we can achieve together.