Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are essential tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global objectives designed to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. These concepts are not only integral to specific SDGs but also permeate the entire framework, emphasizing the need for equitable and inclusive approaches in all aspects of development.

SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) are directly connected to the principles of diversity and inclusion. SDG 10 aims to reduce inequality within and among countries. This involves taking measures to ensure the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. It calls for the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, providing equal opportunities and reducing disparities, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.

SDG 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. This goal underscores the need for ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere, and it involves various targets including the elimination of violence, ensuring women's full participation in leadership and decision-making, and guaranteeing equal rights to economic resources. By promoting gender equality, SDG 5 directly contributes to the broader objective of creating inclusive societies.

Furthermore, diversity and inclusion are crucial in achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This involves addressing disparities in access to education and ensuring that vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations, receive equal opportunities for education. Inclusive education is a foundation for building more inclusive societies, as it prepares all individuals to participate fully in their communities and economies.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) also embodies the values of diversity and inclusion. It promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. This includes advocating for equal pay for work of equal value, promoting safe and inclusive working environments, and reducing the gender pay gap. By ensuring that all individuals have access to decent work opportunities and are treated fairly in the workplace, SDG 8 plays a pivotal role in advancing inclusive economic growth.

The pursuit of diversity and inclusion is indispensable for realizing the vision of the SDGs. These principles are not confined to specific goals but are woven throughout the entire framework, reflecting the understanding that a fair, sustainable, and prosperous world can only be achieved when all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from development. The SDGs recognize that addressing inequalities, empowering marginalized groups, and ensuring inclusive participation are essential for sustainable development, and they call on all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals, to work towards these objectives.

Cancer disproportionately impacts Black patients in incidence and mortality. Accordingly, optimal anticancer pharmacotherapy is critical to improving outcomes in this population, however, Black patients are less likely to receive anticancer pharmacotherapy.
This Article supports SDG 5 by showing that women nurses aspiring to become healthcare leaders face multiple barriers, including cultural, professional, organisational, and individual barriers. The findings should help to inform workplace policies that can lessen these barriers.
Background: Gender-based disparities in health-care are common and can affect access to care. We aimed to investigate the impact of gender and socio-environmental indicators on health-care access in oncology in France. Methods: Using the national health insurance system database in France, we identified patients (aged ≥18 years) who were diagnosed with solid invasive cancers between the 1st of January 2018 and the 31st of December 2019.
Elsevier,

Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis: Common Diseases and their Mimics (Second Edition)
2023, Pages 450-472.e2

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by reviewing the common risk and protective factors for developmental disorders, approaches to screening, and identification of developmental disabilities in primary health care settings.
Elsevier,

Rehabilitation Robots for Neurorehabilitation in High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries
Current Practice, Barriers, and Future Directions
2024, Pages 471-498

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by raising the general and ethical issues around access to rehabilitation robot technologies and discusses them in the context of inclusivity—a term that encompasses affordability and other common issues that may justify limiting or increasing use in low-resource settings in HICs and LMICs.
This Article supports SDG 5 by analysing gender and ethnicity trends in authorship in two leading UK medical journals. With regard to gender, the study finds that the proportion of women first and last authors has increased significantly in the past two decades, making progress towards equity in both journals.
Elsevier,

Clinician's Guide to Sexuality and Autism
A Guide to Sex Education for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
2024, Pages 3-8

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by introducing sexuality education curriculum for learners of all ages with autism.
Elsevier,

Clinician's Guide to Sexuality and Autism
A Guide to Sex Education for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
2024, Pages 9-16

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by outlining how to use the book to provide effective teaching in sexuality education with an emphasis on individualization for specific learners.
Examines social equity dimensions of transport policies, including human rights to mobility and road safety. Assesses different governments' policy approaches in relation to these human rights.
Elsevier,

The Lancet Global Health, Volume 11, September 2023

This Comment article supports SDG 3 and 10 by highlighting that additional calls to action to further safeguard the lives and welfare of LGBTQ+ people are urgently needed; unified commitments that reflect the core values of the Sustainable Development Goals and basic human rights are crucial for ensuring the welfare of LGBTQ+ populations globally.

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