The World's Healthiest Cities

Singapore

This five-million odd strong city state is universally known for its cleanliness, something that certainly contributes to overall wellbeing. It is also home to one of the most advanced healthcare systems of the world. Singapore's life expectancy is ranked fourth, while its infant mortality rate is the second lowest on Earth. Meanwhile, with its efforts to reduce car traffic and its amazing public transit system, Singapore is definitely working towards reducing CO2 emissions. 

The downside? Air pollution levels can sometimes reach unhealthy levels, but Singapore still doesn't find itself on the list of most-polluted cities in the world. 

Reykjavik

Iceland's largest city is breathtaking in beauty, but don't let that fool you: it's air quality rating is 87.50, making it one of the best places on Earth to use your lungs. Iceland's healthcare system is cutting-edge, universal, and largely paid for through taxes. Its life expectancy is among the highest in Europe at 83 years, and thanks to its remote location and low population, Iceland is less prone to infectious diseases than many other cities around the world. 

On a more sobering note, Reykjavik residents are pretty close to a volcano, the eruption of which could pose some serious long-term health risks as well as potentially offering imminent death.

Copenhagen

Denmark's capital has successfully reduced car use for people traveling to and from work to only 26 percent, something the city's enthusiastic bicycle use can only partially account for — an impressive 80 percent of traffic participants in Copenhagen are actually pedestrians. This partially accounts for its steadily dropping CO2 emissions. As in many other European countries, Denmark's healthcare system is mostly funded by taxpayers. Denmark, in particular, has a strong tradition of family doctors, something that gives it a high doctor-to-patient ratio. Denmark has also taken successful steps to reduce its carbon emissions, showing that its commitment to public health is strong. 

Perth

Public transport system? Check! Lots of bicycle users? Check! Bike use went up by a whopping 450 percent in this Aussie city between 1998 and 2009. Publicly-funded healthcare? Another check! In addition, Perth ranks high on healthy eating, makes mental health a priority, and residents report great satisfaction with their work-life balance. Perth also has a strong outdoor culture, with swimming in the ocean readily being available and many public parks being available for jogging, tai chi, and relaxation. 

READ Why Climate Change Is The Most Important Global Health Issue Of Our Time

Calgary

This former Olympic Canadian city ranks high on Forbes' cleanest cities list, is home to lots of green spaces, and makes fitness a priority. Calgary has some of the lowest obesity rates out there, something that can be explained both by its very physically active residents and their healthy eating habits. People from Calgary don't skip their fruits and veggies! In addition, Canada's universal healthcare system is among the most impressive in the world — and though private healthcare exists, most citizens choose to make use of the very good free public healthcare system.