Urban health observatories: A possible solution to filling a gap in public health intelligence
A local public health observatory can provide urban policy makers with much needed health intelligence not found elsewhere. A recent study commissioned by the WHO Centre for Health Development identified good practice which is reflected in a new conceptual framework of an urban health observatory. Sufficient experience and knowledge have been accumulated by pioneering observatories to be shared with cities around the world wishing to establish one of its own. A city should first consider some key factors - political landscape, funding, current public health environment, scope of work, governance, partnerships and sustainability - to determine if and how an urban health observatory might provide a solution to their need for better local health intelligence.