Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) And Child Health

Introduction

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. It comprises 17 integrated goals and 169 specific targets. The overarching principle is to "Leave No One Behind."

Primary Health Goal: SDG 3 (Good Health And Well-Being)

SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Several targets under SDG 3 directly dictate global and national pediatric public health policies.

Critical Pediatric Targets Under SDG 3

• Target 3.1 (Maternal Mortality): Reduce the global Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. (Maternal survival is directly linked to neonatal survival).
• Target 3.2 (Neonatal and Under-5 Mortality): By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
  • Reduce Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) to at least as low as 12 per 1000 live births.
  • Reduce Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births.
• Target 3.3 (Communicable Diseases): End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
• Target 3.4 (Non-Communicable Diseases): Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote mental health and well-being (highly relevant for adolescent health).
• Target 3.7 (Sexual and Reproductive Health): Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning and integration into national strategies (crucial for adolescent pregnancy prevention).
• Target 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage): Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.

Other SDGs Impacting Child Health (Social Determinants)

Child health is inextricably linked to socioeconomic and environmental factors addressed by other SDGs.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Eradicating extreme poverty mitigates the primary driver of child malnutrition, poor living conditions, and lack of healthcare access.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, including achieving internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5, and addressing the nutritional needs of adolescent girls.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning. Maternal education is a primary determinant of under-5 survival.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation, directly reducing the burden of diarrheal diseases and environmental enteric dysfunction.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Protect vulnerable pediatric populations from climate-related hazards, extreme weather, and worsening air pollution.

Indian National Programs Aligned With SDGs

The Government of India (via NITI Aayog) actively localizes and tracks SDGs through various flagship programs.

• Interventions for SDG 3.2 (Mortality):
  • India Newborn Action Plan (INAP): Aims for single-digit NMR and Stillbirth Rate by 2030.
  • RMNCH+A Strategy: Continuum of care across the lifecycle.
  • SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan): Zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
• Interventions for SDG 2 (Nutrition):
  • POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission): Targets reduction of stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.
  • PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme).
• Interventions for SDG 3.3 & 3.8 (Infections & UHC):
  • Mission Indradhanush: Rapid expansion of full immunization coverage.
  • Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): Providing financial risk protection for secondary and tertiary care, advancing UHC.
• Interventions for SDG 6 (WASH):
  • Swachh Bharat Mission: Focus on eliminating open defecation and improving community sanitation.