Preparing the Region of the Americas to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goal on Health

Abstract

[Introduction]: The present document seeks to respond to these requests from the Member States. The SDGs provide a comprehensive multisectoral roadmap for pursuing a world that is “just, equitable, and inclusive, and committed to work together to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection and thereby to benefit all, in particular the children of the world, youth and future generations of the world, without distinction of any kind such as age, sex, disability, culture, race, ethnicity, origin, migratory status, religion, economic, or other status” (Open Working Group report). Health, as an indispensable contributor to a more sustainable and equitable world, as well as an outcome thereof, is necessarily inherent in all the SDGs. For present purposes, however, this document will focus specifically on SDG 3. Separate documents are being prepared on the themes of other SDGs that contribute to health, such as the eradication of poverty, the reduction of inequities, the achievement of food and nutrition security and safety, and the prevention, preparation for, and mitigation of the effects of climate change. In preparing this document, the PAHO Special Program on Sustainable Development and Health Equity (SDE) analyzed the full report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (document A/68/970), as well as many other documents, mandates, strategies, and action plans that guide the work of PAHO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, and other strategic global and regional partners. In addition, all the PAHO technical units were consulted. The final document is the result of all these inputs.