World Health Day, celebrated annually on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) and is a day used by the Organization, its Member States and partners to highlight a pressing health issue. The theme for World Health Day 2010 is health and urbanization. Health and urbanization was selected as the theme for next year's event given the grave impact and health challenges caused by rapid urbanization on health, particularly in the developing world.

Urban health as a concept incorporates many areas: the social determinants of health, environmental health, violence, road safety, healthy lifestyles, food safety and security, healthy housing and space, recreational facilities and community belonging. Since 1986, WHO has been promoting urban health through the healthy city programme. In 1992 the Regional Office issued a resolution urging Member States to promote the concept of healthy cities. The resolution was adopted, however, the healthy city programme in the Region still requires additional resources and greater commitment from all stakeholders. World Health Day 2010 provides a unique opportunity for WHO to again be at the forefront of advancing the agenda of urban health.