VitalTalks: Future of Public Health

Author: Vital Strategies

VitalTalks: Future of Public Health from Vital Strategies looks at how the world around us shapes our health, and how we can shape our environments so that everyone, everywhere has the potential for great health. Vital Strategies is a global public health organization that seeks to accelerate progress on the world's most pressing health problems. Our team combines evidence-based strategies with innovation to help develop and implement sound public health policies, manage programs efficiently, strengthen data systems, conduct research, and design strategic communication campaigns for policy and behavior change. To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org.
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Language: en

Genres: Business, Health & Fitness, Non-Profit

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Local Voices, Global Impact: Cities and the Fight Against NCDs
Episode 4
Monday, 15 September, 2025

In this timely conversation, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown Sierra Leone and Dr. Mary-Ann Etiebet, President and CEO of Vital Strategies, discuss the critical role cities play in combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) ahead of the UN's Fourth High-Level Meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing on 25 September 2025. Freetown is leading by example on NCD prevention as part of the Partnership for Healthy Cities, a global network of 74 cities supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with Vital Strategies and the World Health Organization. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr shares insights on how urban centers, home to nearly 60% of the global population, can deliver fast, responsive policy solutions where people live, work, and play. The episode highlights cities as powerful allies in global health action, demonstrating what's possible when urban leaders are resourced and empowered to tackle pressing public health challenges at the local level. This episode references a recent statement from the Partnership for Healthy Cities, urging world leaders to recognize cities as essential partners in addressing NCDs . A number of mayors championed the statement's call to action, including Mayor Aki-Sawyerr.