The HEPRO Healthy City project approach

Abstract

The HEPRO project is a part of the Healthy Cities approach that seeks to put health high on the political and social agenda of cities, and to build a strong movement for public health at the local level in the Baltic Sea Region (Østfold County Council 2005). The concept is underpinned by the principles of the Health for All strategy and Local Agenda 21. Strong emphasis is given to empowerment; including equity, participatory governance and solidarity, intersectoral collaboration and action to address the determinants of health. HEPRO is further a project which aim is to integrate health consideration into spatial planning and development and to make an important contribution to a sustainable public health policy in Europe.