Health and reduced inequalities: policy brief

Overview

The Sustainable Development Goals (‎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. In 2015, all the countries in the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It sets out 17 Goals, which include 169 targets. These wide-ranging and ambitious Goals interconnect. SDG 3 is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. It has 13 targets measured through 26 indicators. However, a person’s health and well-being are affected not only by disease and treatment, but also by social and economic factors such as housing, poverty and education. Health targets can therefore also be found across the other SDGs. The fact sheets, which include essential facts and figures and identify the challenges, commitments and progress made on each key topic, are a valuable source of information for policy-makers. More equitable societies tend to be healthier societies. Countries with higher levels of income inequality tend to have lower life expectancies and higher infant mortality rates, as well as higher prevalence for mental illness and obesity.