Respiratory City Challenge:

Turning Respiratory Health Priorities into City Action

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions of people worldwide, yet preventing and managing these conditions remains a major challenge for urban health systems. Air pollution, unequal access to healthcare, delayed diagnosis, fragmented referral pathways, and gaps in long-term care can prevent people from receiving the support they need. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across sectors, institutions, and the full continuum of respiratory health — from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment and long-term disease management.

The Respiratory City Challenge (RCC) is a 15-month initiative led independently by the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), with the support of Sanofi, bringing together Mexico City, Bogotá, and Buenos Aires to strengthen respiratory health systems and improve the prevention and care of asthma and COPD.

Launched in October 2026 at the 22nd International Conference on Urban Health, RCC provides a platform for cities to learn from one another, identify opportunities for improvement, and translate shared knowledge into practical, locally led solutions. Working with city governments, healthcare providers, researchers, patient organizations, and other partners, the initiative builds on existing policies, programs, and expertise rather than introducing predetermined interventions.

Our Approach: RCC supports participating cities through four interconnected stages: Diagnose, Prioritize, Design, and Deliver. Each city will assess its existing respiratory health systems, identify a feasible priority for improvement, develop a City Action Plan, and receive targeted technical support to advance implementation. Cross-city exchanges and independent scientific expertise will also inform a shared Latin American roadmap for strengthening asthma and COPD prevention and care.

Expected Outcomes: Three city-led action plans addressing locally identified respiratory health priorities; a shared regional roadmap; stronger collaboration among health and urban stakeholders; and practical lessons to inform respiratory health policies and programs in other cities.

Project Resources & Updates

→ Project Overview: Learn about RCC's approach, participating cities, and expected outcomes.

→ Launch Announcement: Read about the October 2026 launch and commitments from participating cities.

→ City Action Plans & Learning Resources: Assessments, tools, and lessons from participating cities will be shared as the initiative progresses (Coming Soon)

Interested in learning more or collaborating? Contact ISUH to explore opportunities to engage with the Respiratory City Challenge