Access to Health Care

Access to health care is a fundamental component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Health care access is not just about the availability of health facilities, medicines, and qualified health care professionals, but also encompasses affordability, accessibility, and quality of these services. It is intrinsically linked to various other SDGs, reflecting the interconnected nature of health and broader sustainable development.

Firstly, the availability of comprehensive, quality health care services is crucial. This includes preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care across all life stages. However, availability alone is insufficient; these services must be accessible physically and financially to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. This aspect highlights the importance of SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in achieving health-related goals. Financial barriers, such as high out-of-pocket expenses, can impede access to health services, leading to disparities in health outcomes.

Another key factor is the quality of health services. Quality health care should be safe, effective, timely, efficient, equitable, and people-centered. This aligns with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by ensuring that health care systems provide quality jobs and contribute to broader economic development. Furthermore, a quality health care system promotes trust and respect between health care providers and the community, which is vital for the overall effectiveness of the health care system.

The relationship between health and education (SDG 4) is also significant. Educated individuals are more likely to understand health information and access health care services. Moreover, education leads to better health outcomes, as educated individuals are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors and seek medical care when necessary.

Environmental factors, as addressed in SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action), have a profound impact on health. Clean air, safe drinking water, and nutritious food are essential for good health. Therefore, efforts to improve environmental conditions directly contribute to better health outcomes and vice versa.

Additionally, health care access is related to gender equality (SDG 5). Women and girls often face unique health challenges and barriers to accessing health care. Addressing these challenges is essential for achieving gender equality and improving the health and well-being of women and girls.

In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Michael L. Senna, founder and principal of ‘Michael L. Senna Consulting AB’, an expert in connected and automated vehicles, author of The Real Case for Driverless Mobility, and publisher and editor of The Dispatcher. In this episode they discuss about how and why we should be focusing on SDG goals that are directly related to transportation.

International Day of Friendship 2025

International Day of Friendship is dedicated to recognizing the role of friendship in promoting peace and understanding across the globe. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, this day emphasizes the importance of friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals in building bridges and fostering harmony. Observed on July 30th, this day encourages activities and initiatives that promote dialogue, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.

The Significance of Friendship

World Humanitarian Day 2025

World Humanitarian Day is an international day dedicated to recognizing humanitarian personnel and those who have died working for humanitarian causes. Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, this day honors the efforts of those who risk their lives in the service of others. Observed on August 19th, it commemorates the tragic loss of Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the then Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, and 21 of his colleagues in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.

Elsevier,

Reproductive BioMedicine Online, Volume 48, April 2024

Supports SDG 3 in describing problems associated with delayed pregnancies and a lack of access to care.
The right to IVF and access to care are covered by SDG 3.
Elsevier,

Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, Volume 39, March 2024

Access to care and contraception are both rights supported by SDG 3.

World Immunization Week 2025: Uniting for Universal Vaccine Coverage

World Patient Safety Day 2024

Patient safety stands at the forefront of quality healthcare, emphasizing the importance of avoiding harm to patients during care. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the critical nature of patient safety and observes World Patient Safety Day every year. This day serves as a global platform to discuss, strategize, and drive initiatives that place patient safety at the core of healthcare systems worldwide.

Significance of Patient Safety

Safe patient care is paramount for various reasons:

Elsevier,

Principles and Application of Evidence-based Public Health Practice

2024, Pages 101-125

Public policy and linked social action must address the structural or intermediary social determinants of health. Though policy decisions or reform is one of the social action approaches, the programmatic, regulatory, and community development approaches need to be efficiently used. The COVID-19 pandemic expedited and facilitated collaboration with people outside the health sector. Such established and better-performing collaborations and social actions need continuation and expansion to other areas for better health and well-being. The national and subnational multisectoral action plan and its effective implementation can facilitate the “Health in All Policies” and address most of the social determinants of health.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed annually on 1st December, is an opportunity for people around the globe to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, support those affected, and remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.

I. The Importance of World AIDS Day

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