The World Health Organization (WHO) conference held in Toronto in 1984, launched the idea that health is a concept that goes beyond health services and requires a commitment of the cities and the population.

The Healthy Cities Project seeks to provide physical, mental, social and environmental well-being to the people who live and work in cities. Therefore, we strongly believe that a healthy city must consider the citizens' health an important concern, so we expect to achieve our goals by working hard on preserving and improving healthy habits among the population, through a campaing providing suitable recommendations and facilities to implement our project.

Health Plan

In accordance with the former project, the Health Plan is a major step forward, an ambitious program in clear commitment to sustainable development, the improvement of health care services and the quality of life of people living in Vigo.

Perceived health status among the population:

Included in the document “Study on Health- diagnosis and quality of life in the city of Vigo”, a survey door to door conducted in 2006 by the City Council of Vigo, revealed the following information:

• The perception of how was their quality of life: very good (8.3%), fairly good (37.2%), normal (45.3%), quite poor (8.1%), very poor (1 , 1%).
• The perception of their health status was described as very good (3.5%,), rather good (27.2%), normal (50.7%), quite poor (16.3%), very poor (2.4%).

The City Council presents this project to improve the health of the citizens, by means of promoting healthy lifestyle and fitness activities and by encouraging putting to an end harmful habits, such smoking or drinking alcohol. It specially focusses on a healthy and balanced diet, according to the mandate of the WHO regarding healthy cities, this being one of the main objectives of the Health Plan of Galicia 2006-2010. It is also a priority to encourage multisectorial participation and support in promoting healthy habits.