The role of the PHI in creating Healthy Cities

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Please refer to attached file response.

1. "I am thinking the key to the PHI role in Healthy Cities is Transparency between all categories involved. The PHI could aide in supporting and being involved in each step--to interconnect all categories to make them work together. I am hoping an OTA can aide in what their opinion on what the role of the PHI should be in creating Healthy Cities, and to include this idea of transparency.

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines the word transparency (noun) as the quality or state of being transparent. To be in a state of being transparent, means that an object or situation has the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly or allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (as X rays or ultraviolet light). The second meaning is more in line with this question, transparent means that something is fine or sheer enough to be seen through, free from pretense or deceit or to be frank--and when something is easily detected or seen through. In other words, the situation is obvious and readily understood. (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=transparency&x=7&y=15).

In other words, what you seem to be suggesting is that the role that the PHI could play in creating Healthy Cities is obvious and clear and easily understood. This may not be the case, as the WHO project for healthy cities is broad and comprehensive including a NETWORK of people ranging across the globe. This, the role of the PHI would be a small piece of the whole. In other words, the PHI is one member of many (including nations and countries of people) working together with the other members, to make a whole and, thus, a difference—a change—a move closer to the ultimate goal of healthy cities.

Change is never easy, nor totally clear, new health information is always coming in, etc. Thus, the need for continued evaluation and monitoring of the unlimited variables that has the potential to obstruct or impede movement toward to end goal—that of every city meeting the criteria for healthy cites. Before we get into the specific role that the PHI can play in this large NETWORK of people, organization, and countries, I am going to re-read the information on the website that you kindly provided. Finished *smile*

This is my take. WHO suggests to the NETWORK (which includes PHI) that in order for successful implementation of this approach, it "requires explicit political commitment, leadership and institutional change, intersectoral partnerships, innovative actions addressing all aspects of health and living conditions, and extensive networking between cities across Europe and beyond." Obviously, PHI will be part of the larger NETWORK of people, but how does the PHI exactly fit into the larger scheme of things, and what can the PHI do at the local level? This leads us to your second question.
2. "Specifically how could the PHI be involved in--Community Participation, Intersect oral planning, Public Health at the Local Level, in relation to WHO healthy city ...