UN Sustainability: Health and Well-being
The world is an ever-changing enigma with different sets of challenges every day. One of the challenges that have existed throughout time is health issues. Statistics indicate that the world’s population stands at 8 billion and is projected to grow at a significant pace over the next decade. This presents a challenge, especially to the sustainability of civilization. As research has shown over the years is that the higher the population, the higher the rates of poverty rates as a result of resource competition. However, one of the areas most affected is that of health and well-being. A higher population means that there is a tendency for higher poverty rates, particularly in developing countries that have limited access to healthcare. Some of the health challenges include a higher mother and infant mortality rate, HIV/AIDS, malaria prevalence, and a lower life expectancy. In light of these challenges, there is a need to develop sustainable measures to ensure that some of these health challenges are mitigated. The United Nations sustainable program aims to address some of these issues by the end of the decade. This offers a fighting chance at curbing some of the challenges that impede the advancement of civilization.
In 2019, the UN SDG achieved some of the milestones in improving the lives of millions of people. One of the goals under the UN SDG is that by 2030, there will be a reduction in maternal mortality rate to a ratio of less than 70 per 100,000 live births. Furthermore, by 2030, the UN SDG aims to reduce preventable deaths among newborns and children under five years. Another goal is to eradicate global health epidemics such as AUIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, waterborne diseases, and other tropical diseases such as malaria. Finally, the UN SDG aims to provide universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services such as family planning and integrate some of these services into national strategies and health programs.
Currently, there has been significant progress made in improving access to health services, reducing maternal and child deaths, fighting infectious diseases, and improving people’s lives. However, the progress has stalled within the past years, which has limited the capacity to address some of the major diseases such as malaria and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Furthermore, half of the global population has failed to attain access to health services as some endure financial hardships, which has limited their capacity to access healthcare services. This creates a unique challenge where there is a need for universal health coverage and health financing to address some of these challenges.
While income is a critical aspect of achieving health and well-being, there are still some underlying factors that ensure a healthy population. As the saying goes, we do not live by bread alone. The UN SDG aims to address some of the health challenges which will enable people live a longer and healthier life, have access to a decent and standard living, and offer them the freedom to choose the lifestyle they should live. This will provide a balance between the material and non-material aspects of health and well-being.
To ensure these milestones are achieved, the global development conversations with a focus on the UN SDG and the agendas set for 2030 over the next decade. The UN SDG puts at the center of its sustainability goals the entire human population. Furthermore, the agenda aims to achieve a balance of the three sustainable dimensions, which include economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
Consider only two specific areas of the SDG: health and governance. They are essential for the development and happiness of human beings. In the health sector, the program requires universal health insurance and access to quality health services to ensure that no one is left behind and to promote physical and mental health and well-being. UN SDG 3 is committed to healthy living and the well-being of all people of all ages.
All SDGs have an impact on social, economic, and environmental health factors. When poverty, hunger, homelessness, lack of access to education, toxic environments, and conflicts are overcome, health improves. When gender differences in education are overcome, lack of access to health, reproductive and sexual rights, and all forms of violence against women, women’s and girls’ health improve. Better health should increase happiness. Improve the health of human development.
Therefore, I believe that achieving universal healthcare under the United Nations sustainability program will ensure a healthy population and offer better living conditions for those in underprivileged nations. So far, the SDG has achieved a significant milestone and is on course to achieve its goals.