ABSTRACT
During the 1960s and 1970s Health in the Cities was a rather neglected issue. Concepts and strategies for Health for All concentrated on rural health systems, and primary health care (PHC) was mainly based on the fundamental needs perceived by those responsible for rural health systems, and the participation of rural communities. First project experiences showed that approaches developed for rural health programmes cannot be applied under urban conditions. Research on urban health development was an area in which remarkably little work had been done until the mid-1980s. About 10 per cent of them are concentrating on issues of urban health; this share is, however, expected to increase over the coming years. The sector deals with about 8 per cent of the government allocation for technical cooperation. Health surveys among the urban poor despite their limited coverage reflect the changes in their lifestyle and their environment.
