Mercociudades Joins Healthy Cities Movement
- WASHINGTON (PAHO/WHO) - A network representing more than 400 cities, including Latin American capitals, has officially joined the regional movement of healthy cities and communities (MCCS).
- Gerry Eijkemans, director of the Department of Social and Environmental Determinants for health equity at PAHO, hailed the incorporation of Mercociudades.
- Fernando Gray, president of Mercociudades and Mayor of Esteban Echeverría, argentina, emphasized the meaning of joining the healthy cities movement.
Mercociudades Joins Regional Healthy Cities Movement
Table of Contents
- Mercociudades Joins Regional Healthy Cities Movement
- Mercociudades and the Healthy Cities movement: Your Questions Answered
- What is the Regional Healthy Cities and Communities Movement (MCCS)?
- What is Mercociudades?
- What does it mean that Mercociudades has joined the Healthy Cities Movement?
- Who is PAHO and what role does it play?
- What are the goals of this collaboration?
- What are the benefits of joining the Healthy Cities Movement?
- Who are some of the key people involved in this partnership?
- What role does collaboration play in this initiative?
- How many cities are involved in the MCCS?
- What opportunities for joint action are expected?
- What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
- How does this partnership contribute to regional health initiatives?
- What are some of the specific areas of focus for this collaboration?
- Summary Table
- Were can I learn more about this topic?
WASHINGTON (PAHO/WHO) – A network representing more than 400 cities,
including Latin American capitals, has officially joined the regional
movement of healthy cities and communities (MCCS). The move, formalized at
the Pan american Health Institution (PAHO) headquarters on April 29, 2025,
underscores the network’s dedication to public health policies.
commitment to Health and Well-being
Gerry Eijkemans, director of the Department of Social and Environmental
Determinants for health equity at PAHO, hailed the incorporation of
Mercociudades. Eijkemans stated that the partnership provides a “key
chance to continue reinforcing alliances with local governments,”
emphasizing their crucial role in advancing health, well-being, and equity
across the region.
Mayor Highlights Importance of collaboration
Fernando Gray, president of Mercociudades and Mayor of Esteban Echeverría,
argentina, emphasized the meaning of joining the healthy cities
movement. According to Gray, the alliance facilitates the exchange of
experiences and enhances collective capabilities.He added that the network
and PAHO will collaborate on action programs promoting health and community
engagement within their respective territories.
Key Participants
Other notable figures present at the event included Lautaro Lorenzo,
Executive Secretary of Mercociudades; Fernanzo Pazos, secretary of Social
communication of Esteban Echeverría; and Simone Pereira Porto, representing
the city of Niteói, Brazil, which is slated to assume the Mercociudades
Network presidency in December. Representing PAHO were OPS ORIELELO, Chief
of the Health Promotion Unit and Social Determinants, and Pilar Campos,
Regional Health Promotion Advisor.
Strengthening Regional Health Initiatives
The inclusion of Mercociudades brings an additional 400 local governments
into the regional movement, complementing the existing 3,400 members.
Mercociudades, thru this commitment, reaffirms it’s dedication to
safeguarding the right to health for all individuals. The organization
recognizes health as a cornerstone for lasting development, the creation
of equitable societies, and the cultivation of thriving communities.
Opportunities for Joint Action
This collaboration with the MCCS movement is expected to unlock new avenues
for joint initiatives, fostering healthy urban environments and facilitating
the sharing of effective strategies. These strategies will integrate health
considerations into all public policies, aligning with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
Mercociudades and the Healthy Cities movement: Your Questions Answered
What is the Regional Healthy Cities and Communities Movement (MCCS)?
The Regional Healthy Cities and Communities Movement (MCCS) is a regional initiative. According to the provided text, the MCCS is the movement that Mercociudades has recently joined.
What is Mercociudades?
Mercociudades is a network of cities, primarily located in Latin America. The network represents over 400 cities.
What does it mean that Mercociudades has joined the Healthy Cities Movement?
The formal joining of Mercociudades to the MCCS, as confirmed at the Pan american Health Association (PAHO) headquarters on April 29, 2025, signifies a commitment by both organizations to public health policies by the network.
Who is PAHO and what role does it play?
PAHO, or the pan American Health Organization, is a key player, hosting the formalization of the alliance. The director of the department of Social and Environmental Determinants for health equity at PAHO, Gerry Eijkemans, hailed the move as an critically important step. PAHO’s role involves reinforcing alliances with local governments to improve health and well-being.
What are the goals of this collaboration?
Key goals the text highlights include:
Advancing health, well-being, and equity across the region.
Exchanging experiences and enhancing collective capabilities for participating cities.
Fostering healthy urban environments.
Sharing effective strategies to integrate health considerations into public policies.
Aligning with the Lasting Development Goals (sdgs).
Safeguarding the right to health for all individuals.
What are the benefits of joining the Healthy Cities Movement?
Joining the healthy cities movement fosters collaboration and offers opportunities to participate in programs. The collaboration facilitates the exchange of experiences and enhances collective capabilities within the territories of mercociudades and the Healthy Cities Movement.
Who are some of the key people involved in this partnership?
Key individuals involved, as mentioned in the article, include:
Gerry Eijkemans: Director of the Department of social and environmental Determinants for health equity at PAHO.
Fernando Gray: President of Mercociudades and Mayor of Esteban Echeverría,Argentina.
Lautaro Lorenzo: Executive Secretary of Mercociudades.
Fernanzo Pazos: Secretary of Social communication of Esteban Echeverría.
Simone Pereira Porto: Representing the city of Niteói, Brazil.
OPS ORIELELO: Chief of the Health Promotion Unit and Social Determinants at PAHO.
Pilar Campos: Regional Health Promotion Advisor at PAHO.
What role does collaboration play in this initiative?
Collaboration is central. The alliance between Mercociudades and PAHO enhances the exchange of experiences and enhances collective capabilities to promote action programs promoting health and community engagement within their respective regions.
How many cities are involved in the MCCS?
The inclusion of Mercociudades adds 400 local governments. Including the original 3,400 members, the collaboration will include a total of 3,800 local governments.
What opportunities for joint action are expected?
The collaboration is expected to create new avenues for joint action, including:
Fostering healthy urban environments.
Facilitating the sharing of effective strategies.
Integrating health considerations into all public policies.
Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Based on the provided information, SDGs are mentioned as a point of alignment. The text specifically refers to aligning with the Sustainable development Goals, but gives no more details about them.
How does this partnership contribute to regional health initiatives?
This partnership strengthens regional health initiatives by incorporating more local governments into the movement. It ensures that the right to health is safeguarded while recognizing health as a cornerstone for development and equity.
What are some of the specific areas of focus for this collaboration?
According to the provided text,the focus areas include:
Public health policies.
Health and well-being.
Equity across the region.
Community engagement.
Healthy urban environments.
* Integrating health considerations into public policies.
Summary Table
Here’s a summary of the key aspects of the Mercociudades and MCCS collaboration:
Mercociudades Joins Healthy Cities Movement
Network of over 400 cities, including Latin American capitals.
Joining of the Regional Healthy Cities and Communities Movement (MCCS).
April 29, 2025, at PAHO Headquarters.
To reinforce alliances with local governments, advance health, well-being, and equity.
Fernando Gray (Mercociudades President),Gerry Eijkemans (PAHO Director),Lautaro Lorenzo (Mercociudades Executive Secretary),Orieleo (PAHO),Pilar Campos (PAHO).
Sharing experiences, enhancing collective capabilities, joint action programs for health, integrating health considerations into public policies.
Fostering development, creating equitable societies, and cultivating thriving communities.
Were can I learn more about this topic?
For more details, you could start by looking at the websites of PAHO and Mercociudades. You may also find information from the specific cities mentioned.