An Interview with Dr. Luisa Hueso
A Career Dedicated to Non-Communicable Diseases.
Dr. Luisa Hueso (Ph.D, University of Valencia), biomedical researcher and former Kveloce health R&D research consultant, has spent years studying non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity. She has worked extensively on inflammatory mechanisms in morbid obesity and their connection to cardiovascular health.
“Understanding how these Non-communicable diseases develop and what strategies can be implemented to prevent them is crucial,” says Dr. Hueso. NCDs are understood as a medical conditions that are not caused by infectious agents and cannot be transmitted from person to person, often resulting from genetic, lifestyle, or environmental factors. “Given that NCDs are mostly preventable, is hard to say that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases account for 70% of global deaths. Thus, investigating the influence of lifestyle and urban environments on public health is essential.”
She emphasizes the importance of initiatives like the European HORUS project, which seeks to understand how urban environments contribute to the development of these diseases and what strategies can help mitigate risk factors, especially in vulnerable populations.
The Urban Influence on Non-Communicable Diseases
Numerous studies have shown that urban environments significantly impact health and the prevalence of NCDs. “These diseases are the result of multiple factors, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental determinants,” explains Dr. Hueso. “City life—with its fast pace, chronic stress, and limited spaces for physical activity—encourages sedentary behavior.”
She points to the concept of obesogenic environments, where ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, and fat are widely available, while healthy options are harder to access. Combined with high levels of alcohol and tobacco consumption, these factors significantly increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
Air pollution is another major concern, with strong links to respiratory diseases and certain cancers. Meanwhile, urban infrastructure, such as public transport, walkability, and green spaces, plays a crucial role in shaping health outcomes.
“Living in walkable neighborhoods is associated with lower obesity and diabetes rates, as well as reduced premature mortality,” Dr. Hueso highlights. “Similarly, access to green spaces encourages physical activity, alleviates stress, and reduces air pollution.”
However, she warns that NCDs disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income communities, migrants, and ethnic minorities. “These groups face greater exposure to obesogenic environments,less access to greenspaces or better active transportation infrastructures as well as have limited access to healthcare, and experience precarious living and working conditions,” she explains. “Combatting poverty and reducing inequalities is key to ensuring equitable access to healthy living resources.”
The HORUS Project: A Holistic Approach to Healthier Cities
The Health Outcomes from Raised Urban Settings (HORUS) project is a European-funded research initiative that explores the relationship between urban environments and NCD prevalence. With a particular focus on vulnerable populations in Spain, Croatia, and the Netherlands, HORUS aims to understand how built environments influence risk behaviors and implement interventions to encourage healthier lifestyles.
“HORUS operates through two main approaches,” explains Dr. Hueso. “First, by promoting behavior changes—such as increasing physical activity and improving dietary habits—and second, by analyzing how urban modifications can reduce these risk factors.”
The project builds on urban health interventions, aiming to identify the most effective strategies for supporting at-risk communities. “By evaluating HORUS interventions, we can determine what works best and adapt those strategies to benefit communities with the greatest need.”
Innovations in Urban Health: Wakamola and the Healthy Cities Generator
The HORUS project leverages cutting-edge digital tools to enhance urban health initiatives. Wakamola, developed by the Universitat Politècnica de València, engages users via Telegram to analyze their dietary, physical activity, and social habits. “Through interactive conversations, it provides personalized recommendations and helps monitor participants’ well-being,” explains Dr. Hueso.
The Healthy Cities Generator is another vital tool. “It is designed for urban planners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to evaluate how urban characteristics impact public health,” Dr. Hueso states. “While Wakamola focuses on individual health tracking, the Healthy Cities Generator provides a broader perspective on creating healthier urban spaces.”
City-Specific Interventions in Valencia, Rotterdam, and Rijeka
Each city participating in HORUS tailors its intervention to local needs, integrating technology, motivational support, and urban analysis to encourage healthier behaviors:
The Valencia HORUS pilot program will incorporate remote prescriptions to encourage behavioural changes and promote healthier urban environment usage through a free urban social Wakamola network app.
“The partnership uses the Wakamola app, for incorporate remote prescriptions to encourage behavioural changes and promote healthier urban environment usage s, and I think it is very appropriate to get closer to users experiences” Dr. Hueso explains. “A team of social and health professionals provides continuous support and motivation.”
Rotterdam adopts a collaborative approach, involving citizens in the intervention design to ensure effectiveness. “Motivational interviews help reinforce adherence to healthy habits, while Wakamola facilitates community engagement and personalized recommendations,” she adds. “It is essential that we listen to the needs of citizens and adapt interventions accordingly.”
Rijeka applies the Socio-Ecological Model, supported by motivational interviewing, combining data from public sources, supported by motivational interviewing, Wakamola, and mobile sensors to track lifestyle habits. “They conduct focus groups and qualitative research to better understand barriers to accessing healthy environments,” Dr. Hueso notes. “The goal is to empower individuals to take control of their health.”
Each intervention prioritizes accessibility, personalization, and technological support to help vulnerable communities adopt healthier lifestyles. “We hope that by integrating digital tools with community-based support, we can create a lasting impact on public health.”
Challenges and Future Perspectives
Implementing HORUS interventions across different urban settings presents challenges, such as varying infrastructure, cultural differences, and social determinants of health. However, Dr. Hueso remains optimistic: “The project aims to generate tangible results that can influence future urban health policies.”
By demonstrating the effectiveness of urban modifications in reducing NCD prevalence, HORUS hopes to guide city planning decisions toward prioritizing public health. “If we can show that changes in the urban landscape have a measurable impact on disease prevalence, policymakers will have a strong incentive to prioritize health-conscious city design.”
Rethinking Urban Design for Healthier Cities
According to Dr. Hueso, designing cities that promote active and healthy lifestyles is essential. “This means improving walkability with safe, well-connected sidewalks, expanding infrastructure for active transportation such as bike lanes, and increasing green spaces,” she says. “These spaces not only encourage exercise but also reduce pollution and stress.”
Raising awareness about the role of diet and exercise in preventing NCDs is also crucial. “Ensuring equitable access to nutritious food and safe recreational areas is key to long-term prevention,” she notes. “Education and accessibility must go hand in hand.”
A Call for Collaboration Between Health and Urban Planning
Dr. Hueso emphasizes the need for collaboration among urban planners, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. “Health experts provide data on how the environment influences NCD incidence, urban planners need to integrate this knowledge into city design, and policymakers must ensure these changes are implemented effectively and remain sustainable,” she explains.
“If we want to reduce the burden of NCDs, prevention must be at the core of urban design,” she concludes. “With the right policies and interdisciplinary cooperation, we can create cities that not only facilitate healthier lifestyles but also inform and empower people to make positive health choices.”
The HORUS project is paving the way for a future where urban environments actively contribute to better public health outcomes. “It is essential to keep the conversation going on how we can design cities that are not just functional, but also promote well-being and healthier lifestyle for everyone,in order to prevent non-communicable diseases” Dr. Hueso affirms.
Find the whole original spanish transcript here: https://horus-urbanhealth.eu/entrevista-a-luisa-hueso-ph-d/