Impact of Urbanization on Health

Urbanization is the need of the hour and it is growing rapidly or in other words, it is unstoppable.

- Dr Vivek S Agrawal

Everyone aspires to be an urbanite and dreams for a better living which is perceived as synonymous to urban living. Those living in the urban areas need to answer if urban living does really mean a better living? Urbanization brings along great infrastructure, beautification, connectivity and means to entertain but also creates conducive space for growth of several hazards like toxic pollution, environmental degradation and challenges to the public health. With growing urbanization, population density also increases disproportionately. In the current era, habitation is going vertical to accommodate more numbers in a lesser area. Increased density is the future threat. A large number of people are migrating to urban areas mostly to earn their livelihood and a small proportion to live a glamorous life. Interestingly, ageing people do migrate in large numbers to ensure better medical facilities and the younger generation for better education.