title: Developing local health policy: Profiling needs and opportunities in the Municipality of Quito, Ecuador.
abstract: We describe the steps taken and analysis applied in developing a local health policy agenda for the city of Quito, in Ecuador. In 2014, the Health Commissioner's Office of the Municipality of Quito analyzed the city's epidemiological health profiles, social determinants of health, the legal authority of the Municipality, and relevant literature to understand the city's health burden and develop a Ten-Year Health Plan (2015-2025). Results revealed that Quito's population suffered from noncommunicable chronic diseases (diabetes and hypertension) and identified the primary risk factors (poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and resulting overweight or obesity). Other common conditions included respiratory diseases, mental health conditions, deaths and injuries from motor vehicles, violence, and physical insecurity. The plan emphasized health promotion and disease prevention with the aim of transforming citizens' health perceptions with their active participation by fostering public and private intersectoral commitment to improve the quality of life of the population .
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ave. Robles s/n y Ave. Pampite, Cumbaya, Quito, Ecuador. mroldos@usfq.edu.ec.
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Roldós
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hopenhayn
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, Quito, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sacoto
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Surveillance, Health Commissioner's Office, Municipality of Quito, Ecuador.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bustamante
mesh_terms: D002947:Cities; D004484:Ecuador; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009111:Local Government; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011050:Policy Making
keywords: Quito; local health policy; municipality; policy development; public health