Global Health

Global health is a multifaceted concept that extends beyond the mere absence of disease, encompassing a comprehensive view of well-being for all, irrespective of geographical, economic, or social boundaries. Over the years, the global community has recognized the intrinsic link between health and development. In this context, the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced in 2015, present a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Among the 17 SDGs, Goal 3 explicitly targets "Good Health and Well-being," focusing on reducing global maternal mortality, ending epidemics of infectious diseases, decreasing non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health, to name a few. However, the relationship between global health and SDGs isn’t limited to Goal 3 alone.

The holistic nature of the SDGs highlights that health is interwoven with other global challenges and solutions. For instance, Goal 1 aims to eradicate poverty, which is intrinsically linked to health. Poverty can lead to malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, limited healthcare access, and vulnerability to diseases. Thus, by addressing poverty, we inadvertently advance global health. Similarly, Goal 2's objective to eliminate hunger and promote sustainable agriculture directly impacts nutritional health. Proper nutrition is foundational for robust health, preventing many diseases and ensuring development across life stages.

The linkage extends to environmental goals as well. Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action) all have direct or indirect implications on health. Polluted water sources can cause infectious diseases; fossil fuel reliance can lead to respiratory ailments; unsustainable cities can result in poor mental health and non-communicable diseases due to pollution and sedentary lifestyles; and the larger challenge of climate change has direct repercussions on global health from altering patterns of infectious diseases to exacerbating health issues related to extreme weather events.

Moreover, the SDGs emphasize inclusivity and equity, values inherently crucial for global health. Goals like 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), and 10 (Reduced Inequalities) indirectly bolster health outcomes by addressing social determinants. Educated populations often have better health outcomes, understanding disease prevention and accessing health services more efficiently. Empowered women can make informed health choices for themselves and their families. By reducing inequalities, we ensure that health resources, advancements, and services are accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic status.

As record-breaking temperatures are steadily becoming the norm nationwide, employers have a unique position and obligation to ensure they keep their employees safe and healthy in the extreme heat. This article supports SDGs 3, 8 and 13.
In this episode of the "World We Want" podcast, Márcia Balisciano interviews Dr. Ana Maria Porras, Assistant Prof of Biomedical Engineering, Crochet Artist, and Science Communicator. They discuss how biomedical engineering is helping develop better treatment strategies for tropical disorders, which have historically received very little attention.

World Malaria Day 2025: United Against Malaria

World Malaria Day, celebrated every April 25th, is a crucial event aimed at raising awareness about the global effort needed to defeat malaria. Instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly in 2007, this day emphasizes the importance of continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention, control, and elimination.

The Genesis of World Malaria Day

World Immunization Week 2025: Uniting for Universal Vaccine Coverage

World Health Day 2025: Global Action for Universal Health

World Health Day is celebrated each year on April 7th, marking the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about critical health issues facing the world and mobilizing efforts to address them.

The Essence of World Health Day

World Chagas Disease Day 2025: Fight the Silent Epidemic

UN's Summit of the Future 2024

Purpose of the Summit

One Health and the Exposome embrace a broad view of human health and its environmental drivers as well as provide various tools and modes of operation to systematically uncover pathways linking poor health outcomes with their root causes to inform interventions supporting the WHO SDG3.

The New Public Health (Fourth Edition), 2023, Pages 1097-1158

This chapter advances the UN SDG Goal 3: Good Health and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities. It examines the globalization of health as there is increase focus on the international transfer of diseases and the imperative of cooperating to combat inequity under societal conditions that create the spread of diseases and their effects on individual nations and the global community.
This podcast, relating to SDG 3, Health and Wellbeing, is part of the Elsevier celebration of the World Health Organization’s World Health Day whose aim is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health and well-being. April 7th 2023 marks the WHO’s 75th anniversary of World Health Day, with a focus of improving public health for all.

Pages