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Review
. 2011 Feb;11(2):131-41.
doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(10)70223-1.

Urbanisation and infectious diseases in a globalised world

Emilie Alirol  1 , Laurent Getaz, Beat Stoll, François Chappuis, Louis Loutan
Affiliations
Review

Urbanisation and infectious diseases in a globalised world

Emilie Alirol et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

The world is becoming urban. The UN predicts that the world's urban population will almost double from 3·3 billion in 2007 to 6·3 billion in 2050. Most of this increase will be in developing countries. Exponential urban growth is having a profound effect on global health. Because of international travel and migration, cities are becoming important hubs for the transmission of infectious diseases, as shown by recent pandemics. Physicians in urban environments in developing and developed countries need to be aware of the changes in infectious diseases associated with urbanisation. Furthermore, health should be a major consideration in town planning to ensure urbanisation works to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in the future.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Evolution of urban and rural populations between 1950 and 2050
Figure 2
Figure 2
A slum of Kibera Dwellers of slums live in dire, overcrowded environments, with no access to water or sanitation. In the slum of Kibera, Kenya the number of inhabitants is almost 1 million.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Socioeconomic disparities in Paraisopolis, Sãu Paulo The urban environment is characterised by important socioeconomic disparities and geographical heterogeneity. In Paraisopolis, São Paulo, Brazil, high-income housing is just two steps away from the favela shacks.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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