Sustainable Development Goal Integration, Interdependence, and Implementation: the Environment–Economic–Health Nexus and Universal Health Coverage

Abstract

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are interdependent and integrated. The SDGs aim to impact all levels of society, reach across all sectors, embrace equity, inclusion, and universality, and operate in an ecosystem. SDG 3 strives to improve health outcomes by reducing mortality, ending epidemics, preventing diseases, and implementing universal health coverage (UHC) for accessible, affordable, quality, and equitable healthcare. The available infrastructure (environment) should be supportive and sustained by a stable, growing economy (economy) to ensure the timely and reliable delivery of quality healthcare (health). A general framework is presented for the implementation of the SDGs with a focus on SDG 3 and one of its targets, UHC. The robustly aligned environment–economic–health nexus is a key determinant for the successful implementation of UHC (and the SDGs). SDG implementation presents multiple convoluted challenges at national, regional, continental, and global levels but will ultimately yield rewards. To advance UHC, a global effort is required where timely information is shared and nations partner to achieve this important global health target. Especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), the learning and sharing of experiences and knowledge are essential throughout the course of implementation. This will ensure that no nation is left behind.

Healthy lifestyles and noncommunicable diseases: Nutrition, the life‐course, and health promotion

“…Health throughout the life‐course is addressed by the SDGs that focus on maternal (SDG 3.1), neonatal and child mortality (SDG 3.2); sexual and reproductive health (SDG 3.7) and rights (SDG 5.6, by ensuring universal access); and migrant health (SDG 10.7, for safe and orderly mobility of people) 11 . The SDGs are complex, integrated, and interdependent, 13 even within a single SDG such as SDG 3. Insights are provided on SDG 3.4, and for the opportunity, through the adoption of healthy lifestyles over the life‐course, to mitigate the onset of noncommunicable diseases and obesity.…”

Meta-analysis of the literature related to SDG 3 and its investment

“…In such conditions the concept of SDGs should be considered in terms of global threats (Stukalo et al, 2021) because SDGs could be an effective tool for strategic planning and further development (Petrushenko et al, 2020;Brin & Nehme, 2021). In order to enhance the ability to manage the efficient management decisions there is a need for implementation of innovative financing approaches for sustainability of entities' performance (Lehenchuk et al, 2020;Chigrin et al, 2014).…”

SDG 3 and financing instruments in Austria and Ukraine: Challenges and perspectives

“…Dieleman et al (2018) projected the huge differences in expected future health spending per capita: as estimated high-income countries will spend 45 times more on health care services per capita than low-income countries. To ensure that no nation is left behind it is essential to learn and share the experiences and knowledge in low-and middle-income countries throughout the course of implementation (Cerf, 2019). Advanced economies had a satisfactory level of sustainability; while the level of SDI of the emerging markets was lower (Koilo, 2020).…”

“…Bali and Taaffe (2017) suggested that for many countries, increasing financial support to achieve the SDG 3 targets can be realized through private sector engagement and domestic resource mobilization and allocation. Among a wide range of existing financing instruments, including though on the responsible basis to achieve SDG 3 targets one of the most recommended is a public-private partnership (Wang & Ma, 2020;Cerf, 2019). Based on Wang and Ma's (2020) comprehensive literature analysis, public-private partnership is the most sustainability-oriented instrument related to the healthcare sector.…”