Global Strategies for the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases and Non-Communicable Diseases

Nakatani, Hiroki

Another feature is that the SDGs emphasize linkage between goals more strongly than the MDGs. Health is not a monopoly of the health sector; interlinkage is very important. A typical example is onchocerciasis, an indigenous parasitic disease which occurs at riversides, particularly in West Africa. In the past, this disease often led to the abandonment of rich riverside farmland. But now, after regular mass treatment, people can return to these farming areas and resume farming. According to a World Bank estimate, the recovered farmland is producing food for a population of 17 million. Hence, control of onchocerciasis has contributed to the alleviation of hunger through food production and income generation. Health contributes to other • By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births • By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1000 live births • By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases • By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being • Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol • By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents 3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes • Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all • By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination • Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate • Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and no communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all • Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States • Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks goals and vice versa. Other examples are water quality and gender equality, both of which have a positive synergy with health. Accordingly, the SDGs represent a unique environment within which all health