Driving health equity for cities and communities: the work of Belo Horizonte’s urban observatory

Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais state, is among Brazil's largest and most successful cities with 2.3 million inhabitants and a total of six million in its greater metropolitan area.

As with other cities, it can be seen as a living organism where health intersects with urban life in multi-faceted ways. Any effective urban health programme depends on understanding these intricate dynamics right down to the city, sub-city and community level and, where relevant, household and individual level too.

Located within the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), the observatory is known for its research, analysis and advocacy skills dedicated to deciphering the urban health landscape of Belo Horizonte – combining knowledge with action.

Understanding urban health dynamics

In a rapidly evolving urban environment such as Belo Horizonte, health outcomes are deeply intertwined with social, economic and environmental factors.

OSUBH takes a holistic approach to untangling these complexities, using a wide array of methodologies ranging from epidemiological, qualitative and systematic field observation studies, to spatial analysis. The range of OSUBH’s work can be seen in the box of recent projects below.

Current OSUBH projects

Health of residents in special social interest zones and areas: assesses the health impacts of urban transformation interventions (such as housing, sanitation, environmental quality, social organisation and legal land plots) in vulnerable areas served by Belo Horizonte City as part of the Vila Viva Program.
Map of inequalities and opportunities in Belo Horizonte: combining indicators from municipal and national databases and mixed methods of approach and analysis, this project is mapping intra-urban inequalities and opportunities in the city. In partnership with the Belo Horizonte City Hall, communities and social movements, qualitative data will also be collected through participatory methods, to understand the opportunities and vulnerabilities in different areas of the city and evaluate the usefulness of the developed indicators.
Health of elderly Brazilian adults: aims to identify the physical and social attributes of neighbourhoods that significantly influence the health and wellbeing of older adults. This can guide public policies aimed at creating more inclusive urban spaces and elder-friendly cities.
Sustainable mobility and traffic safety: this underpins the ‘Life in Traffic Program’ by introducing monitoring for cities over one million and other measures to promote urban mobility safety and reduce morbidity and mortality, in line with the National Health Promotion Policy.
Setting up the Center for Research and Urban Health (CCUH): in collaboration with Drexel University its theme is the creation and dissemination/translation of evidence to address the health and equity impacts of climate change in cities.
Change stories: sparking dialogue and learning through storytelling. Stories of collective action, policies and narratives on equitable and sustainable urban transformation from researchers and community-based partners in five global cities.
Global diet and activity research (GDAR) network: GDAR is working to prevent non-communicable diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancers, in low- and middle-income countries through a research focus on how physical, policy and social environments influence diet and physical activity.
Climate change and urban health in Latin America (SALURBAL-Clima): the goal is to catalyse a research, policy and practice community on climate change and health throughout Latin America which generates, requests and utilises evidence to drive urgent policy and community actions.
Urban inequality and spatial distribution of heat-related mortality in Belo Horizonte and Campinas: the project aims to increase contextual knowledge of spatial and social vulnerabilities. This knowledge, combined with the engagement process, can be used to create robust resilience plans that respond to local needs and patterns for other cities.

To access publications related to these and other projects from the Belo Horizonte Urban Health Laboratory, visit the OSUBH website.

By mapping health indicators against socio-demographic variables and urban infrastructure, OSUBH documents disparities in health care access, disease burden and environmental risks across different neighbourhoods. Such insights not only inform evidence-based policymaking, but also empower communities to advocate for their health rights.

Mission and commitment

The observatory also serves as a nexus for fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Through partnerships with local, national and international agencies, healthcare providers and grassroots organisations, OSUBH facilitates knowledge exchange, capacity building and collaborative research initiatives aimed at addressing pressing urban health challenges – including climate change. It is no surprise to see three of the initiatives address climate change issues.

It actively engages with the broader community through outreach programmes, public seminars and participatory research projects. By democratising access to information and fostering dialogue, the observatory empowers citizens to actively participate in shaping the urban health agenda of their city.

At the core of OSUBH's mission lies a commitment to drive policy reform and advocacy actions that promote health equity and sustainable urban development. By generating robust evidence, conducting well-designed studies, and advocating for evidence-informed policies, OSUBH strives to influence decision-makers at local, regional and national level.

Empowering communities for health and resilience

Beyond research and advocacy, OSUBH is deeply committed to empowering communities to become agents of change. Through community-based participatory research projects, urban health education initiatives and capacity-building programmes, OSUBH equips academics, students and residents with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to address health disparities and build resilient communities.

By fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusivity, the observatory drives transformative change across disciplinary boundaries and fosters a more equitable and health-conscious urban landscape in Belo Horizonte.

Charting a path towards urban health equity

In a rapidly urbanising world, the search for urban health equity has never been more urgent. As we navigate the complexities of urbanisation, institutions like OSUBH provide pathways towards a healthier, fairer future – the vision of a city with a healthy population, resilient communities and where equity reigns supreme.

Thanks to the OSUBH team, which also contributed to this insight.