URBAN HEALTH Rapid urbanization as a result of rapid economic growth in the Asian Region especially Malaysia has greatly

affects the cities environment. According to the (Dr. Rozlan Ishak) , urbanization is a process of expansion in size and population in urban areas where, it is associated with changes in economic, social and physical environment of the urban areas. It is also related with the migration of people from rural to urban areas. This has resulted in the increased demand of land for houses, industries, recreational facilities, schools, health centers and offices block. While based on (Maria-Pia Waelkens, 2001), stated that urban health refer to improve the health and safety of people across an entire city area. Urban health also means the health of a population that lives and works closely together, usually in an incorporated area, such as a city or town, with a common water supply and with similar environmental conditions.1 In a few years, changes in population in urban areas could be

seen improved significantly whereas half of the whole population majority lives in the cities area. It is because, people has a big chance and opportunity for looking a job rather than rural area. The changes that occur in the cities then created

social and physical problems, for example such as the lack of land, infrastructures and basic services for particular urban communities and subsequently created unsanitary and inhumane urban living such as squatters, infectious diseases and rise in crime rate. For this reason, urban health becomes one of the major issue and challenges that need to be faced.

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/urban+health (retrieved February Monday, 2011).

Due to the increasing in the level of urbanization, has brought the pressure on the providing of infrastructure, utilities, and facilities for the urban community. The urbanization has brought the problem like road congestion, environmental pollution and the trend of new social and health problems in these areas. According to (Azahan A, 2009) a citys quality of life often linked with its environment and the infrastructures provided in the city. So, in order to have a better quality life, the urban environment and infrastructures should be in a good, high standard, sufficient and efficient for the people that live in cities. Other than that, (Tuckson, 1989) also mentioned about the quality of health of community, a city, or a country is the most sensitive indicator of the quality of life of that community, city or country. All of the social forces converge to express the quality of health of our citizens. Therefore, it means the good urban health will make sure a better quality of life among the urban community.

After that, because of the rapid urbanization, there are some challenges that hard to confront in order to improve the quality of life for the urban people. The

challenge is based on the healthy city principle, cooperation and involvement from various parties to enhance and maintain healthy environment. Among the

challenges are how to organize a complex urban environment for a better health, then want to ensure a better access health services for all and also how to find tools and resources to overcome the problem arises in the urban health. All these should have a better planning and program to ensure a healthy urban lifestyle for a citizen. Basically, we can see that urbanization is something good for a development in the country. Means, the cities or urban area are develop and people that live in urban

area are easy to access for everything which has complete facilities such as hospital, school and so on. But, urbanization also invites many problem and

issues toward the people and also the environment. First is regarding on the environment which is about the air and water pollution and also disposal of domestic and industrial wastes due to uncontrolled practices. Consequently it will bring more impact such as problem with drainage system and also will give effect toward the people health. Because of that, the symptoms of infectious disease started to appear and spread. diseases and so on. According to (Maria-Pia Waelkens, 2001), infectious diseases are particularly concentrated in poor urban areas where most conditions favorable for spreading of diseases, such as insufficient water supply, deficient sanitation, overcrowding and promiscuous living conditions, are gathered. Other than that (Dr. Rozlan Ishak) has stated urban health also increased attention to vector-related diseases like malaria and dengue fever, traditionally rural, but which have been urbanizing as cities continue to grow. This is because of lack of land and high cost of living, people cannot buy or rent a house, so that they choose to live in squatter house, thus it create a problem and also give impact on urban health. (Sarah Fry, 2002) has cited that urban health problem cause by lack of water supply and sanitation facilities characterizes urban squatter areas. People line up at neighborhood standpipes, buy from vendors, or tap pipes illegally to obtain water. Some The health problems are diarrheal, respiratory

settlements have community toilets that are generally unsatisfactory. The public health consequences are severe, especially for young children.

The responsible party should take a responsibility to overcome the urban health issues and problem in order to ensure the healthy and better quality lifestyle among the urban community. Among the strategies that can be adopted and

implement are efforts by government to manage some activities and campaign toward the urban health issues. (Dr. Rozlan Ishak) in his report has stated about the government effort in early 1994 which is Healthy Cities Project with purpose to minimize health hazards in urban areas through integration of health and environment protection measures in urban planning and management processes. Then, enhance the quality of physical and environment of supportive urban health, improve the provision of health service by developing appropriate health care system and also aim increase the public awareness towards healthier behavior lifestyles and habit. The Healthy cities in Malaysia focus on the development of a more comprehensive program to further enhance the quality life for the people and to maintain it, government needs to monitor the progress activities.

Next, government also needs to make collaboration with the private sector and Non-Government Organization (NGO) to improve the urban health in the country. For example here, should provide enough health and medical facilities to ensure all the urban community easy to access and get the benefit from it. Besides, the research and development action need to be taken to enhance the urban health, whereas the modern technology now will help to overcome the several problem regarding to the urban health issue. The research and development also need to be taken to get and find the new alternative or vaccine to prevent infectious diseases in the country. Other than that, not only just one side which government to find the solution, but the awareness among the community is also important. For instance, to create a healthier area, the community need to take the action
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such as take care about their environment whereas do not litter everywhere, abolish the place that has a sign to spread the infectious diseases. The

awareness among the community not only creates healthy urban area but also will ensure the quality lifestyle.

The impact of the successful project which is the campaign, program and many activities by related party that has conducted accurately will be feeling safe from crimes and play in safe surrounding and breathing clean air, and enjoying high quality of life in the cities.

As a conclusion, the countries that move toward industrialization era, will be able to further create and improve the social, economic and physical environments. The community will have more chances to undertake steps in improving their own life and the environment and be involved actively in the preparation, planning and organizing healthy cities project within their local areas. A strong commitment also need between government and agencies, private sectors, NGO's and also the communities. Therefore, cooperation and collaboration should be enhanced

among these parties. Then, it will expect that, the idea of working together in promoting Healthy Cities will allow people to participate and promote a better quality of life in urban areas.

This collaboration also will enhance the quality of life among the community in the cities and then reduce health hazards, furthermore it will promote a better and healthier behavior, life style and habits, and directly improve the health services in the country.