Urban framework as an approach towards health equity in informal settlements

Abstract

The following research study is carried with the objective of examining the most critical health and livelihood issues facing residents of informal settlements. It is worth noting that informal settlements now house a substantial proportion of the urban population in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A premise is then set to help identify interventions to improve health in the foregoing areas. The review begins by discussing urbanization as a major public health challenge for the 21st century, as urban populations are rapidly increasing, basic infrastructure is insufficient and social and economic inequities result in the formation of informal settlements. People over there suffer disproportionately from ill-health throughout their lifecourse and are more likely to experience disease, injury and premature death and ill-health may combine with poverty to entrench disadvantages over time. The health of both individuals and communities is affected by built and social environments surrounding them as evidence in this study suggests, and these settlements are plagued by profound environmental hazards and ingrained deprivations that cannot be suitable for a healthy life. The study further tackles in depth the factors which exacerbate ill-health in informal settlements and encourages prevention and early intervention as measures more effective than exhorting individuals to change their behaviour. This is due to the fact that changing behaviour becomes more farfetched in the light of their surrounding work and study environments. The concluding section examines a range of urban interventions to be taken into consideration when trying to upgrade and achieve health equity in these areas.

Drivers of vulnerability to health and wellbeing challenges in informal settlements

“…Our findings speak to the multiple vulnerable groups and interrelated and interlinked drivers of vulnerabilities. Past studies have described how community factors, environmental, social and political forces simultaneously influence health in these communities (Rifai et al, 2016;Alelah, 2017).…”

Community advisory committee as a facilitator of health and wellbeing: A qualitative study in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya

“…Cities have unequal outcomes and opportunities because many population groups residing in informal settlements are systematically excluded from participating in health and wellbeing activities, processes and decisions ( 2 , 3 ). Participation by study communities is important, as growth often occurs so quickly that urban planners do not know the actual population density and needs of residents in the informal settlements ( 4 ). A lack of community participation leads to a situation in which public resources fail to reach the vulnerable groups ( 5 , 6 ), as such most residents of informal settlements face asymmetries in health and wellbeing advancement and opportunities in informal settlements ( 7 ).…”

Unmet Needs and Resilience: The Case of Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements

“…Living in informal settlements disproportionately affects certain groups [17,18]. Notably, older persons, child-headed households (CHHs), and persons with disability (PWD) are MVGs because they are disproportionally represented in informal settlements [19,20].…”