Local and regional leaders discussed how to better promote health through local action ranging from water quality to canteen nutrition, sports promotion, urban planning, drug abuse, tree planting, access to preventive care and preventive vaccinations. Upon request of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the European Committee of the Regions adopted on 29 November an opinion on "The role of cities as health promoters" drafted by member of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Regional Assembly and ECR member, Adam Banaszak. 

Rapporteur Adam Banaszak said that "Local governments across the EU have a key role to play in reducing health disparities and in advancing people's circumstances and opportunities for health. Elected representatives should include health considerations in their policy-making processes and prioritise health promotion and healthy living when deciding on urban planning, early childhood and education, long-term care and many other sectors".

Local leaders are calling on the European Commission to prepare a follow-up to the 2014-2020 EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity, involving the Committee of the Regions in its development and implementation, and Member States to take action to promote physical activity and healthy food among children and young people.

The CoR calls on city councils to promote and facilitate urban design strategies that can create pedestrian and cycle friendly communities with safe, attractive and accessible public open spaces which are associated with a reduced risk of non-communicable diseases and represent an investment in public health. 

Health policy is determined by national governments, although in 19 of the 27 Member States, local and regional authorities have primary responsibility for planning, organising and delivering healthcare services to citizens.