The SDG’s are interconnected in assuring health and wellness to all by achieving these
goals that address environment, equality, opportunity, infra -structure and health. These
concepts are related and all impact each other which is why they are more of a roadmap
than a menu. Sanitation affects health and wellness. Education impacts human
development and equality. The SDG’s represent a guide to improving each goal which
impacts reaching another goal.
Goal # 10 and #6 are both connected to health and are often very related. Inequalities in
health care occur in those less fortunate, in poverty, and minorities. Clean water and
sanitation are more often experienced in poor communities which have less access to health
care and are at a lower socioeconomic level. Addressing clean water and sanitation for all
will elevate those that are less fortunate and improve their health and reduce inequality in
Goal #3 is good health and well-being which endorses vaccinating the family for
preventable diseases such as measles. The SDG website reports that 80% less occurrence of
measle deaths were reported between 2000 and 2017 due to vaccination. Attaining good
health and well-being is possible with evidenced based solutions such as vaccines.
Preventative care is a high priority for achieving goal #3. It is critical to prevent illness that
can be prevented with vaccines and proper health maintenance. Education is critical to
improve health and longevity. The United Nations (2020) report that children born to
mothers with even primary education have a better chance of survival than those that are
born to a mother with no education. This is difficult to imagine in the United States, but
children born in poverty have a higher risk of dying before the age of five according to the
United Nations (2020).
Cronk & Bartram (2018) review health care facilities in low-middle income countries and
find many of these low-middle income countries (LMICs) lack many things we take for
granted in our country. For instance, 39% of LMICs lack handwashing soap and adequate
waste disposal. In addition, 50% of the health care facilities in these countries lack piped in
water. Caring for patients in a health care facility with limited water, soap, and waste
disposal would be a huge challenge and would not adequately protect the patient or the
healthcare workers from infectious diseases. Cronk & Bartram (2018) highlight the
importance of available water, sanitation, hygiene, energy and waste disposal to deliver
safe and adequate health care.
We all wonder how we can help in a global way. The United Nations website lets you know
several ways to help improve global health from your own couch. One way is to turn off
your lights, your TV and your computer. Another way is to share posts on social media
that pertain to climate change or women’s rights for example. The UN encourages us to
share rather than just like to educate others on important issues that can impact the world.
Cronk, R. & Bartram, J. (2018). Environmental Conditions in Health Care Facilities in
Low- and Middle – Income Countries: Coverage and Inequalities. International Journal of
Hygiene and Environmental Health, 221(3), 409-422.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 2
United Nations (2020). Sustainable Developmental Goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Hi Sandra, your post on sustainable development goals and how they are related to health and
well-being was insightful. In particular, you break down the relevant goals into paragraphs,
enabling a reader to get a deeper understanding of the topic. When discussing the relatedness of
goal 6 and goal 10, you state that impoverished people from the minority population are the most
susceptible to poor health outcomes. I agree with you since minorities tend to be marginalized
from the health system and are usually disregarded in the development of national policies; this
inevitably leads to poor health outcomes (Buse & Hawkes, 2018). You also focus on goal 3,
which is centered on vaccination on promoting good health. Indeed, immunization is a
preventive measure that ensures good sustainable health outcomes for the population. I believe
that vaccination should be made mandatory for people. Overall, your discussion was well-
thought-out and well-delivered.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 3
Buse, K., & Hawkes, S. (2015). Health in the sustainable development goals: ready for a
paradigm shift?. Globalization and health, 11(1), 13.