Intersectoral action in achieving sustainability goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely linked to the sustainability of health systems, emphasizing a holistic approach to developing and addressing social, economic, and environmental factors influencing health outcomes. By focusing on goals such as good health and well-being (SDG 3) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), the SDGs promote the establishment of resilient and sustainable health systems that can adapt to changing needs and challenges. In essence, the SDGs provide a framework for building health systems that are not only effective in delivering healthcare services but also resilient, equitable, and capable of promoting health and well-being over the long term.

Intersectoral action (IA) is vital for achieving the SDGs as it allows for collaboration across various sectors to address complex and interconnected challenges. By bringing together stakeholders from different fields such as health, education, environment, and economics, IA enables holistic solutions that tackle the root causes of issues, leading to more sustainable and equitable outcomes. Additionally, IA fosters innovative approaches and leverages diverse resources, maximizing the impact of efforts towards achieving the SDGs.

W&W Governance Lead, Dr. Joslyn Trowbridge, discusses the conceptual and empirical understanding of IA for achieving the SDGs. This article emphasizes the need for clarity in conceptualization, analysis of applications in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and consideration of power dynamics between sectors to advance equitable collaboration.

Link to the full article here