Joined the programme in 2018
Since Milan joined the Cities for Better Health in 2018, 23 of the city’s major municipalities, accounting for 65% of the population, have formed the Cities for Better Health Milan Metropolitan Network with the ambition to share projects and better practices on how city planning and intervention programmes can improve quality of life for its residents.
Over a quarter (27.5%) of the population in Milan is overweight.1 In addition, 12.1% of men and 8.6% of women live with obesity.2 The diabetes prevalence of 5.75% in Milan is likely to increase if something is not done to address the prevalence of overweight and obesity1.
The diabetes challenge in Milan
5.75%
of adults in Milan are living with diabetes1
12.1%
of men in Milan live with obesity2
8.6%
of women in Milan live with obesity2
27.5%
of the population in Milan is overweight1
In early 2020, Cities for Better Health Milan launched the Milano Diabetes Atlas, which contains the quantitative research collected during the mapping phase of the Cities for Better Health programme. Based on this research and in collaboration with the Municipality of Milan, the University of Milan, the Health City Institute and more than 80 experts, the city of Milan drew up the Cities for Better Health Action Plan 2022 – 2025. This action plan outlines proposals to guide joint action in tackling the challenge of diabetes and health inequalities in urban areas
Integrating health into policymaking
To support local authorities in their efforts to incorporate health into policymaking, Cities for Better Health, with the support of Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani, organised a special Health City Manager master course. The purpose of this course was to empower a group of individuals so that they might be able to help local authorities in their efforts to integrate health into policymaking.
Combatting loneliness during COVID-19
During lockdown, many elderly have been isolated in their home, unable to go out and with limited contact with loved ones. To combat loneliness caused by COVID-19-induced isolation, SENIOR ITALIA in Rome and Milan – a partner of Cities for Better Health - launched a new initiative with the Italian Society of Emergency Psychology: a national freephone number dedicated to elderly people living on their own. Experts from the Italian Society of Emergency Psychology have listened to and supported to improve the psychophysical health of the elderly during the lockdown period.
Making Milan an Olympic Active City
Inspired by Cities for Better Health in Rome, Milan has created 34 walking routes around the city to encourage citizens to engage in more physical activity. These walking routes, which cover 175 kilometres, highlight some of the city’s famous landmarks and green spaces. Milan is looking to become the first Olympic Active City when it hosts the XXV Winder Olympic Games in 2026. It plans to create an additional 133 walking routes (one for each municipality) by the start of the 2026 Olympics
"Cities for Better Health has been promoted to enhance the prevention of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes, caused by the impact of urbanisation. It’s necessary that policymakers be more sensible on urban health topics and find better prevention policies and improve the care network."
— Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan
ANIAD
C14+
Censis Foundation Centres for Outcomes Research and Clinical Epidemiology (CORESEARCH)
Cittadinanzattiva
CONI
Diabete Italia
FIDAL
Fitwalking Association
Health City Institute
Humanitas University
BDO Foundation
Institute for Competitiveness (I-COM)
Italian Association of Diabetics and Clinical Nutrition
Italian Diabetes Society
Italian Diabetologist Association
Italian Municipalities Association
Italian Obesity Association
Italian Society of GPs
Italian Society of Paediatric Endos
IULM University
Lombardy Patient Association Federation
Lombardy Region
Medipragama
Milan City Municipality
National Institute for Health
National Institute of Statistics
Obesity Study and Research Centre
University of Milan
Parliamentary Intergroup on QoL in Cities
Polytechnic University of Milan
Science and Technology Museum
University of Bocconi of Milan
University of Milan
University of Milano-Bicocca
University Vita Salute S.Raffaele of Milan
Luzi L, Carruba M, Crialesi R, et al. Telemedicine and urban diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic in Milano, Italy during lock-down: epidemiological and sociodemographic picture. Acta Diabetologica. 2021/07/01 2021;58(7):919-927. doi:10.1007/s00592-021-01700-2
Istat Multiscopo. Reworked Istat Multiscopo data (2013, 2015, 2016). Accessed January, 2020
