All, Moving toward SDGs

 

 

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development indicates a new era for global public health, offering the opportunity to strive for an integrated approach of all three dimensions of sustainable development – namely economic, social and environmental. Many of the goals impact one another and are interrelated and interdependent. Health, however, has a central place as a major contributor and beneficiary of the sustainable development policies across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

 

• This is a significant paradigm shift that health is no longer responsible only for Goal 3 but also contributes to and is influenced by other development goals. In response to Goal 1: "end poverty in all its forms everywhere”, WHO leadership in universal health coverage can prevent economic catastrophe and alleviate poverty due to health-care expenditure. Health and well-being of populations are interdependent in many of the goals, particularly Goals 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 13. Thus, the 17 Goals show that health outcomes can be achieved through multi-sectoral actions and synergy among different goals. To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, the health sector needs to understand and collaborate with other sectors to achieve mutual goals for development.