Initial research by TRUUD, a five-year research programme aimed at reducing non-communicable diseases in the urban environment, revealed that professionals in urban development agree that health is important and should be prioritised but lack power, information and the right culture to make a difference.

TRUUD have partnered with Dandara Living to host a free online event on Tuesday 5 November that will provide discussion on the opportunities to prioritise health in the built environment.

Dr Krista Bondy at the University of Stirling Management School said: “We’re keen for professionals to join us who don’t have health as a usual part of their work in the private sector of urban development, but make decisions about new developments at any level. It’s really important that their insights can be used to guide discussion and for them to find out about all the resources that are available.”

The session will be led by Zoe Sharpe, senior development manager at Dandara Living, who added: “We are committed to creating sustainable developments so were delighted when TRUUD offered us the opportunity to be involved, and we look forward to collaborating with the team on what is a very exciting and important event.”

Participants will explore:

• How health is linked to social value
• Evidence-based links between the urban environment and health. This will be illustrated by data from the HAUS model (developed by the TRUUD team), which quantifies and values the health impacts of different characteristics of the urban environment.
• Risks and benefits of prioritising health
• Examples of how other organisations are taking action to prioritise health in urban development
• Signposting to helpful resources to support the prioritisation of health

Sign up here.