The Health in Cities report cites air pollution, lack of green spaces, areas with limited healthy food choice and low screening and vaccination rates as issues in entrenched areas of deprivation.

Prof Whitty said: ‘Cities provide great opportunities for a healthier life but many, especially in areas of deprivation, have poor access to healthy food choices, exercise and are exposed to air pollution. These are soluble problems.

‘People move frequently within cities which contain a diversity of population groups – the health system must adapt to them, not the other way around. There are many older citizens living in cities and it is important they are supported to live healthier lives. Addressing the health challenges of cities require a broad range of actions from policymakers, the NHS and individual citizens.'

Despite the availability of multiple and specialist healthcare facilities which benefit many citizens, the report shows that vaccination and screening uptake is lower and STI rates are higher in cities.

Prof Whitty outlines a series of recommendations to address health in cities, particularly for people living in areas of deprivation, including action on risk factors such as obesity and air pollution, the food environment and healthcare service planning and delivery.

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Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘Local government plays a vital role in tackling these issues, from improving air quality and expanding access to green spaces to promoting healthier food environments and tackling homelessness.

‘We must ensure that our health systems are flexible and responsive to the unique needs of urban populations, so everyone, regardless of where they live, can enjoy a healthy, fulfilling life.'

Assistant director of Healthy Lives at The Health Foundation, Gwen Nightingale, said the report highlighted how many people in cities did not have the ‘same opportunities to live healthy lives'.

‘The report shines a spotlight on several of the building blocks needed to build good health - things like our surroundings, education, food and housing,' Nightingale said.

‘Decision makers in local and central government must begin to place health at the heart of all major policy decisions and invest in the evidence-based policies that are known to be effective.'