April 7 was celebrated as the World health day Worldwide. The one week long campaign until 11 April 2010 was witnessed in the form of 1000 cities, 1000 lives. The campaign has penetrated to more than 500 cities in over 100 countries across the world. The focus of the Campaign is mostly urban targeted to improve the lives of people residing in cities.

The campaign on 1000 cities, 1000 lives on the occasion of World Health day derives its inspiration from the increasing complications of urban dwellings in cities. With more and more people shifting to the cities to earn their livelihood and for better prospects, this campaign has gained even more relevance. As a part of this campaign, WHO planned events to encourage people to open their city streets to health activities.

As a part of the World health day WHO Director-General Margaret Chan highlighted a few facts of utmost importance to the lives of people. Chan pointed out that though urban population fare better when it comes to access to social and health services, they have a few disadvantages as well. These are factors such as pollution, less open spaces, unhealthy lifestyles , refuse collection and traffic accidents to name a few.

Chan highlighted the need for better urban planning and policies. "In developing countries, the best urban governance can help produce 75 years or more of life expectancy. With poor urban governance, life expectancy can be as low as 35 years," Chan told a press conference.

The goals of 1000 cities campaign on the occasion of World health day are to open up public spaces to health. These can include organising activities in parks, town halls in the form of clean up campaigns or closing off a portion of street to motorized vehicles etc. The other goal of the campaign is 1000 lives. Under 1000 lives, people are inspired to collect 1000 stories of people who have made a difference. These would be the stories of urban health champions who by means of their contribution have made a healthier difference in the city.