President and CEO of Vital Strategies, a global public health organization that designs solutions to pressing health problems.

The once-celebratory undertone of the United Nations’ 75th anniversary General Assembly has been overshadowed by COVID-19. The coronavirus is now driving both the event’s content and format, and for the first time in its history, the UNGA will be virtual.

World No Tobacco Day 2020 exposes the false dichotomy between public health and the economy when it comes to Big Tobacco

Una buena calidad de vida no la dan las soluciones médicas, sino que debe encontrarse en todo lo que hacemos y lo que nos rodea. En esa dirección giran las tendencias en salud global. La idea es que la elección saludable sea siempre la opción fácil.

Through the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a joint initiative between Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organization, and Vital Strategies, cities worldwide are taking action.

It can be easy to look at these issues and think that urbanization exacerbates the problems. But really, the solution will rely on cities. 

While tobacco is responsible for the majority of lung cancer cases worldwide, air pollution is estimated by experts to be responsible for 16.5% of the world’s 1.7 million annual lung cancer deaths, and is a risk factor for chronic lung and cardiovascular disease.

Governments must have the political will to stand up to vested interests and put policies that prioritize healthy diets and physical activity before corporate profits.