Advancing Health and Equity in Cities Worldwide.
The International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) advances the science, practice, and policy of urban health — uniting researchers, governments, communities, and the private sector in pursuit of healthier, more equitable cities for all.
Founded in 2002, ISUH has grown and strengthened the field of urban health — convening global knowledge, translating evidence into action, and cultivating a network of leaders researching and advancing urban health initiatives across more than 70 countries.
2002
ISUH founded as a global home for the emerging field of urban health
70+
Countries where ISUH network members are advancing urban health
22
Annual ICUH conferences convened across six continents
8000+
People engaged through ISUH’s conferences, programs, partnerships, and global network
Explore Our Highlights
ICUH 2026, Mexico City
The 22nd Annual International Conference on Urban Health convenes in Latin America for the first time in 5 years. ICUH 2026 in Mexico City brings together researchers, city governments, civil society organizations, and global health leaders to examine climate resilience, noncommunicable disease prevention, mental health and social belonging, and place-based innovation in urban health. October 13–17, 2026.
Turning Urban Health Evidence into Action
Urban health is the organizing framework the world needs to advance health for the majority of people. Cities concentrate both the determinants of poor health — inadequate housing, environmental hazards, social exclusion — and the leverage points and opportunities for lasting improvement and impact.
ISUH strengthens and makes sense of the urban health evidence base. We advance applied research, synthesize existing knowledge through literature reviews and evidence mapping, and identify gaps and priorities for the field. We then translate that knowledge into practical tools, resources, and clear policy and practice guidance for city leaders, planners, and other decision-makers whose work shapes health and equity.
I-HIP Co: Community-Led Housing Health
The International Healthy Housing Innovations Project in and with Communities (I-HIP Co) is engaging residents in Buffalo, Asheville, Tulsa and Long Beach to define and co-design healthy housing solutions that reflect community priorities — from affordability and stability to housing quality and social neighborhood cohesion. The approach is informed by decades of community-led development in Asia, with grassroots partnerships in Jakarta and Karachi, and is generating a new, replicable model for hyperlocal, equitable healthy housing & neighborhoods in the United States.
→ See the I-HIP Co Project
Member Spotlight: Anna Gurnhill
In July, we highlight ISUH member Anna Gurnhill, whose work demonstrates how healthier cities begin with healthier neighbourhoods. By integrating public health into the planning and design of built and natural environments, Anna champions walkable, liveable communities where everyday access to nature, physical activity, healthy food, and social connection become fundamental drivers of heart health and wellbeing.
What We Do
Convene & Connect
Produce the International Conference on Urban Health(ICUH) — the world's premier interdisciplinary urban health conference
Foster cross-sector partnerships among government, academia, civil society, and the private sector
Convene and support member working groups and global peer networks
Research & Synthesize
Applied urban health research
Literature reviews, evidence synthesis, and evidence mapping
Translation of research into practical tools and policy guidance
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning across urban health projects, programs & initiatives
Design & Implement
Co-design and pilot community-led healthy housing approaches through the International Healthy Housing Innovations Project in and with Communities (I-HIP Co)
Curate real-world examples and translate lessons from practice into urban health equity tools and resources through the Accelerating City Equity (ACE) Project
Implement, measure & evaluate healthy built-environment interventions, including Mud to Mortar in Bangladesh
Manage initiatives from design and implementation through evaluation and learning
Advocate & Build the Field
Grow urban health as a recognized, fundable discipline
Train urban health researchers, practitioners, and policymakers
Build publicly available urban health tools and frameworks for cities
Influence urban health policy at the city, national, and international levels
