In our previous posts, we have touched upon the issue of global health disparities and the potential solutions to this problem. In this post, we introduce the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, that were adopted by the United Nations (UN) countries in 2015, to bring about global health equity in the future.
The SDGs represent a collection of seventeen closely linked objectives that were adopted by the UN countries as part of the 2030 agenda. According to the World Health Organization, “The SDGs aim to transform our world. They are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, justice, and prosperity. It is critical that no one is left behind.”
The seventeen Goals to be met by 2030 are:
No poverty
Zero hunger
Healthy lives and well-being for all ages
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life on land
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Partnerships for the Goals
The third goal specifically lays out the plan for ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all ages. However, there is a lot of crosstalk between the Goals, and steps that are planned for some of the other Goals are also expected to have a positive influence on global health equity. For example, eliminating poverty, provision of clean water, and climate action can all potentially decrease global health inequities.
The Goals envision a novel concept of sustainable development that is based on global partnerships, rather than being confined to developing countries. There is an emphasis on equity, fundamental human rights, equal status for women, and universal health coverage. The Goals also encourage scientific research on medical, social, and environmental determinants of health. Sustainable financing is encouraged with greater use of domestic funds and exploration of new sources of funding. The plan is to encourage intersectoral collaboration between stakeholders in different areas of policy-making such that global health equity is prioritized by multiple stakeholders.
Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the key promise of the 2030 SDGs. It emphasizes the UN’s commitment to end poverty, eliminate discrimination, and reduce inequalities that leave people behind. Very often, lack of healthcare resources is not a result of their true lack, but rather due to discriminatory policies and practices that make it hard for individuals to have equitable access to the resources. The SDGs have been crafted with the chief objective of eliminating these disparities.
-Isha Kapoor
Isha is a senior at Mayo High School in Rochester, MN.
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