Developing an Indicator System for a Healthy City: Taking an Urban Area as a Pilot

PURPOSE: The Healthy Cities Project is an important strategy for global health. This study aimed to develop a scientific and appropriate indicator system for the evaluation of a Healthy City in Chongqing, China. METHODS: Data were collected via a review of government documents, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. A total of 34 government documents were reviewed to build the indicator database based on our previous studies. The first round of focus group discussions, which involved eight health-related experts, was conducted to form the indicator system framework. In-depth interviews with 15 experts from government departments were conducted to design the improved indicator system. The second round of focus group discussions, which featured four experts, was conducted to obtain the final recommended list of indicators. A thematic framework was used to analyze the detailed interview notes. RESULTS: The indicator system for the Healthy City consisted of 5 first-level indicators, 21 second-level indicators (e.g., health literacy), 73 third-level indicators (e.g., incidence of myopia), and three characteristic indicators. This indicator system spanned the scope of the environment, society, health services, healthy people, and health behaviors. CONCLUSION: This indicator system was based on the current status of the construction of the Healthy City in the pilot district. The indicator system could be dynamically adjusted according to the development of the Healthy City in the pilot district. Government departments play an important decision-making role in the development process of this indicator system.