Belfast Healthy Cities, the WHO-designated organisation for Belfast, has welcomed the launch of the World Health Organization’s 2025 Report on Social Determinants of Health Equity, which calls for urgent and coordinated global action to tackle the root causes of health inequalities.

The report reaffirms what Belfast Healthy Cities has championed for over three decades – that where people are born, live, work, and age profoundly influences their health. It highlights the need to further address key social determinants such as education, employment, housing, and social protection to reduce persistent and unjust health disparities. The report reiterates the data trends seen here in Belfast, and across Northern Ireland in Belfast Healthy City’s ‘Health Profile’ Reports.

“This new WHO report validates the work we have been doing here in Belfast and strengthens our call for policy approaches that prioritise equity,” said Charlene Brooks, Chief Executive of Belfast Healthy Cities. “We are proud to be part of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, which provides a platform to share evidence, learn from other cities, and ensure that health is at the heart of all policies.”

Furthermore, The Making Life Better framework; Northern Ireland’s strategic public health framework, which is designed to provide direction for policies and actions to improve the health and well being of people in Northern Ireland and to reduce health inequalities, is well aligned with the WHO’s 2025 call to action.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said: “Making Life Better reflects the same principles of addressing structural determinants of health, reducing inequalities, and promoting cross-sector collaboration. This alignment places Northern Ireland in a strong position to respond to the report’s recommendations and lead local implementation of global health equity goals”.

Belfast Healthy Cities’ initiatives – including Community Prosperity, Healthy Urban Environments, and work on inclusive transport and greening – reflect the global direction of travel outlined in the WHO report. The organisation continues to collaborate with government departments, local councils, and community partners to embed health equity in decision-making and urban planning.

Charlene continued: “The call for cross-sectoral collaboration and investment in systems that create fair opportunities for all is especially welcome. We remain committed to leading this work locally in Belfast, across NI and in our role as secretariat of the World Health Organizations’ National Network across the UK; ensuring that all communities across cities and urban areas can thrive and enjoy better health outcomes.”