Urbanization and Environmental Practices on Public Health: Sustainable Solutions to Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, and 11 in Rapidly Urbanizing Developing Countries in West Africa

ABSTRACT The uncommon quest to solve related sustainable development goals issues, especially goals 3, 6, and 11, has prompted resounding discourse by policymakers around the globe. Hence, this study tends to examine how unsafe environmental practices and urbanization impact quality of life in developing countries, focusing on West African monetary zone (WAMZ) countries. It found that urbanization, unsafe sanitation, and unsafe drinking water have a significant long‐run and short‐run negative impact on the quality of life in these countries, though urbanization is statistically insignificant in the short run. Income growth, however, has positive long‐ and short‐term effects. The study concludes that existing health policies and programs have not fully improved sanitation and the availability of clean drinking water. This tends to increase the demand for health services, leading to shortages of health facilities that result in untimely death. Policymakers can improve the quality of life by implementing inclusive urban planning, sustainable infrastructure development, enhanced economic and employment opportunities, access to healthcare and basic services, good governance, and environmental protection. Additionally, comprehensive sanitation infrastructure, investment in dirty water treatment and management, hygiene promotion, proper policy and regulatory frameworks, and affordable sanitation solutions can improve the quality of life.