Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and long-term disability globally. These diseases disproportionately affect vulnerable urban populations—such as low-income groups, migrants, and ethnic minorities—who often face social and environmental disadvantages, reduced access to preventive care, and limited opportunities for healthy behaviours. Within this context, the HORUS project (Health Outcomes from Raised Urban Settings) seeks to address systemic health inequalities by focusing on how the urban built environment contributes to NCD risk factors and how it can be leveraged to promote health equity. The project aligns with pressing European and global health priorities, aiming to mitigate the burden of NCDs through targeted, evidence-based urban interventions.
The overarching objective of HORUS is twofold: first, to comprehensively analyse the causal links between urban environmental characteristics and NCD risk behaviours; and second, to implement and evaluate co-designed pilot interventions across Spain, Croatia, and the Netherlands. These interventions are tailored to promote sustainable behaviour change and health empowerment in vulnerable communities by improving how individuals interact with their physical surroundings. The pathway to impact is grounded in an interdisciplinary approach that integrates public health, urban planning, social sciences, and behavioural research. The project’s expected outcomes include a reduction in modifiable risk factors and health disparities, as well as practical guidance for policy makers and urban planners across Europe. By addressing the socio-spatial determinants of health, HORUS aims to generate scalable and transferable knowledge that contributes significantly to EU strategies on disease prevention, urban sustainability, and health equity.
