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
health care.
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.
References
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.
United Nations (2020). Sustainable Developmental Goals.
Responses to Posts
According to Crank & Bartram (2018), the sustainable development goals are
interconnected to individuals’ health and wellness. Sanitation has also been termed to be quite
essential in the health of individuals. I typically agree with the author in this concept because, in
most cases, the individuals who fail to observe high levels of sanitation are always exposed to
the rise of different illnesses such as typhoid and cholera, among others.
I also agree with the author that inequalities in healthcare are usually experienced among the less
fortunate individuals. Therefore, addressing the providence of clean water and sanitation will
enhance the health of individuals and eradicate inequality in healthcare.
I agree that education improves the health and longevity of an individual because it will result in
one being aware of the preventive measures against illnesses such as the use of vaccines. The
health of individuals can also be enhanced by ensuring that there is the providence of energy and
appropriate ways of disposing of wastes.
References
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.