McMichael AJ. The urban environment and health in a world of increasing globalization: issues for developing countries. Bulletin of the WHO 2000; 78: 1117-1126.
Summary: This article reminds us that concerns for human health were the impetus of modern urban planning while providing a broad historical overview of urbanization around the globe.
General Concensus: I noticed some students with narrow research topics felt the article was too broad in scope. Others sounded panicked wondering "what now?" Because of these comments I think it is important to leave this article on the reading list. We can't shrink away from these issues because they are too complex. Population growth's further strain on resources will force municipalities and agencies to work more closely on integrated solutions to problems of infection, chronic disease, and the environment.
Additional Comments:
"There is an inherent interconnectedness between health, socioeconomic status, and climate change." (ENVH)
"Most international NGOs and government programs work at the individual-level determinants of health, but if they could coordinate higher-level projects, such as at the community level, they could be much more effective in the long run." (EPI)