The ICUH 2026 Themes
Healthy Cities by Design: Climate, Care, and Community from Latin America to the World
This year's theme reflects a defining moment of global convergence. Cities are simultaneously ground zero for health inequities and the source of the most innovative, community-driven responses to them — and this is particularly visible right now in Latin America.
From climate-resilient neighborhoods and community-led care systems to participatory governance and local and traditional knowledge practices, the region is generating models with profound relevance for cities everywhere.
ICUH 2026 brings this leadership to the center of the global urban health conversation — and invites urban health advocates from around the world to learn from it, contribute to it, and build upon it together.
2026 Thematic Areas
ICUH 2026 is organized around six thematic areas that reflect the interdisciplinary breadth of urban health — and the particular urgency of this moment in Latin America and beyond.
The conference program will be built around these themes, bringing together 150+ sessions and activities across four days in Mexico City, including plenary moments, interactive workshops, panel discussions, poster presentations, case studies, cutting-edge research, site visits, evening socials, and more.
THEME 1
Climate, Environment, & Urban Resilience
Cities concentrate climate hazards and environmental exposures — and urban design, governance, and infrastructure hold many of the tools to address them. This theme explores planning, policy, design, and community-led strategies that reduce risk, improve environmental quality, strengthen resilience, and deliver health co-benefits through climate mitigation and adaptation.
THEME 2
Food, Mobility, & Noncommunicable Disease Prevention
Urban form shapes what people eat, how they move, and their risk of chronic disease and injury. This theme brings together public health, transportation, food environments, active mobility, road safety, injury prevention, and urban planning to accelerate prevention and reduce health disparities.
THEME 3
Children, Youth, & Healthy Urban Living Across the Lifecourse
Healthy cities begin with children and young people — and support wellbeing at every stage of life. This theme spotlights place-based approaches that advance child- and youth-friendly cities, caregiving environments, intergenerational connection, and healthy aging, with attention to the demographic realities and urban futures of Latin America and beyond.
THEME 4
Mental Health, Social Connection, & Belonging
Cities should support mental wellbeing, dignity, and meaningful participation in urban life. This theme addresses social connection, belonging, loneliness, stress, trauma-informed urban environments, and community-centered approaches to care, public space, and service delivery.
THEME 5
Urban Health Systems, Primary Care, & Governance for Impact
Turning evidence into action requires strong health systems, public health capacity, and cross-sector coordination. This theme focuses on primary care, public health functions, research-to-policy pathways, and the partnerships that connect health services with urban planning, governance, prevention, and long-term resilience.
THEME 6
Regional Spotlight: Latin America and the Caribbean
ICUH 2026 places Latin American and Caribbean urban health leadership at the center of the global conversation. From community-led governance and care networks to climate resilience, local knowledge, and innovative approaches to urban transformation, this track showcases regional models with global relevance.
Submissions are welcome in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.