Where do you live? How green is your neighborhood? Can you walk or bike safely? And how easy is it to live a healthy life in your everyday environment? The impact of our environment on our health is growing. So much so that it’s becoming just as important as the healthcare we receive. This realization is central to the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH), whose 23rd edition will take place in Utrecht in October 2027. This is big news, as the leading international conference on urban health is coming to the Netherlands for the first time. The announcement was made on the final day of ICUH 2026 in Mexico City. This is a great honor for Utrecht, but above all, it signals that an important global trend is gaining momentum: health is increasingly seen as an issue that extends beyond the healthcare sector alone.
From Care to Health
In times of growing healthcare challenges, the importance of prevention is also on the rise. For the simple reason that most health gains are still achieved long before a waiting room or treatment room even comes into the picture—in neighborhoods, at schools, at work, and in public spaces.
That’s why those working in the field of health are increasingly collaborating with partners outside the healthcare sector—such as municipalities, urban planners, housing authorities, researchers, and policymakers. Together, they contribute to creating an environment that supports healthy behaviors and helps reduce health disparities. And that is exactly what Urban Health is all about: the relationship between the living environment and residents’ health.
An international platform for a broad perspective on health
The International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH) is the annual conference of the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH). ICUH 2027 will once again bring together more than 300 researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and city officials from countries around the world. The goal is to exchange knowledge and work together to find solutions to the challenges of tomorrow.
How can we make cities healthier? How can we ensure that everyone has equal opportunities for a healthy life? And how do we address developments such as urbanization and climate change, which are having an increasing impact on our health? These are issues that call for cross-sector collaboration.
See also: Everything about Zorg & ICT 2027
Here’s why ICUH 2027 chose Utrecht
Utrecht’s selection is no fluke. The city has a strong track record in the fields of health, research, and innovation. Moreover, this award is the result of close teamwork involving, among others, the City of Utrecht, Utrecht & Partners, the Economic Board Utrecht, research institutions, and other partners. This is the perfect opportunity for the Netherlands to welcome experts from all over the world and establish itself as a place where health is approached from a broad societal perspective.
“We bring together people and ideas that can make a difference for our city, our society, and far beyond,” said Jeroen van Hooff, CEO of the Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs. The arrival of ICUH aligns seamlessly with these societal ambitions. All centered around one key question: How do we create a global society in which people can grow up, live, and work in good health? This makes ICUH 2027 more than just an international conference—it’s relevant to everyone working toward the future of health.
