Sustainable health – Rethinking the approach to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
In an article published in the BMC Global and Public Health, the Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Health launches the concept of sustainable health. The Centre argues that three transformations are necessary to achieve sustainable health and concludes the article with a call to action from a wide range of stakeholders.
In light of the alarmingly slow progress in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Centre argues that there is a need for a new approach to reaching the highly interlinked Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and health for all, now and in the future. Sustainable Health, a multisectoral area for study, research, and practice towards improving health and well-being for all while staying within planetary boundaries, is argued to be a prerequisite to reaching the 2030 agenda and a world in which everyone, everywhere can live a healthy and fulfilled life.
The article states that: “Health and wellbeing (SDG 3) is linked to every sector of society and ultimately to the health of the planet. Without achieving SDG 3 in a sustainable way, we will not achieve sustainable societies and vice versa. Sustainable health means acknowledging the importance of these interconnections and how the health gains today will affect future generations.”
Three transformations are crucial to achieving sustainable health and include rethinking the approach to achieving health and well-being; the relationship with the planet; the way we form and work in partnerships. To accelerate progress on these transformations and to achieve sustainable health, the article argues, all relevant stakeholders must go beyond words.
The call for action details what all sectors can do to lead the way in accelerating the world’s progress to achieve sustainable health for all now as well as in the future, without risking the health of the planet. Actions of several stakeholders are required for sustainable health.
The full article can be found on BMC Global and Public Health’s website