The Sustainable Development Goals: A Way Forward for Pakistan

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted globally in September 2015 as a set of universal and transformative goals and targets to be implemented by 2030. The 17 development goals include 169 concise, global, and applicable to all countries; developing and developed—the SDGs address three interconnected dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. Health is interconnected with social, economic, and developmental/environmental determinants. 1 The SDGs include 244 indicators related to the five Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. The SDGs are more comprehensive and people-centered than the MDGs, with the commitment to & quot; leave no one behind, & quot; i.e., reach vulnerable populations. Among the SDGs, Goal 3 directs countries to & quot; Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages & quot;; SDG3 includes 13 targets, four of which address implementation. 2 Thirteen SDGs are related to health and well-being and may be informed by less than 169 indicators. SDG 3 addresses chronic diseases, tobacco, alcohol, narcotics use, mental health, road safety, and pollution. However, health is not solely a component of Goal 3. Throughout the majority of the SDGs, some targets have a direct or indirect effect on health gains and thus require special consideration when developing strategies, policies, and plans to achieve the health goal and monitor progress. 2,3