Global Health Blogs with Professor Swahn

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by 193 countries in 2015, are goals that we must achieve by 2030. These goals focus on “leaving nobody behind”, and they are: 1) No poverty; 2) Zero hunger; 3) Good health & well-being; 4) Quality education; 5) Gender equality; 6) Clean water & sanitation; 7) Affordable & clean energy; 8) Decent work & economic growth; 9) Industry, innovation, & infrastructure; 10) Reduced inequalities; 11) Sustainable cities & communities; 12) Responsible consumption & production; 13) Climate action; 14) Life below water; 15) Life on land; 16) Peace, justice, & strong institutions; and 17) Partnerships for the goals.

I think the Future We Want Campaign is a great way to get students involved in changing the world to be a better place for everyone to live in. I love hearing stories about young adults already starting to make a difference by being part of achieving the goals set out by the United Nations – they are so inspired and so motivated to make the change for a better future and for a better environment. For example, Greta Thunberg, environmental activist, is only 17 years old, yet, she has been speaking out about climate change and has convinced people to adopt important life style changes that will help the environment. Greta is a thought leader, she has spoken to world leaders about addressing the climate crisis we are currently facing, which is goal #13.

Moreover, students have the potential to be thought leaders and have the drive to make an impact on the 17 goals. Young people want a better future for themselves and with determination and hard work, they can and will definitely achieve it! Other great examples of thought leaders are Eva Jones (16 years old) and Amariyanna Copeny (13 years old). Eva Jones advocates for gender equality and education (goals #4 & 5):

Amariyanna Copeny, or “Little Miss Flint”, another activist, has raised awareness about the water crisis occurring in Flint, Michigan. As many may be aware, Flint’s water supply comes from Flint River, which has been a waste disposal site for many industries – this water has made people very sick, and many have had to leave their homes due to the lead from pipes that enter the water supply. This all started in 2014, and Mari Copeny has drawn attention to the crisis in her hometown, which would be in hopes to achieve goal #6.

As an MPH student, it is troubling to know that the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are not covered in our courses, and that most of us have never heard of them. I believe that we should all at least know what the goals are and know how they are measured because this is an important step taken in public/global health. After reading the 17 goals and reading about different people and organizations helping to achieve those goals, I felt some sense of relief knowing that many people are doing the best they can and helping in any way possible. However, the story that really stuck with me was from Felisa Hilbert (goal #3) and her advocacy for vaccines.

Felisa was born in Mexico and was trained as a registered nurse because she has been very passionate about global health and preventive medicine. My parents were also born in Mexico and even though they grew up in extreme poverty, they made the choice of moving to the United States. They did what the doctors suggested and vaccinated my sister and I, and they were always up-to-date with our vaccines. People that grow up with access to vaccines still do not vaccinate their children because they are against them. I know some of these people, and even though they are vaccinated, they refuse to do the same for their children. Reading Felisa’s story and how she had to witness a child dying due to lack of vaccinations was really sad, especially because that disease was preventable through vaccinations.

In addition, I was born in Atlanta and I’ve been living here all my life. Personally, I believe most of the goals are relevant in Atlanta. For example, there is so much homelessness in Downtown Atlanta, a lot of people who are living in poverty, a lot of people experiencing hunger, a lot of people fighting and protesting for equality, a lot of people hoping for decent work and for a better economy, many people are suffering with their health and their well-being, and many are also protesting for justice and race inequalities.

There is just so much to change, and living in Atlanta has made me aware of all the issues. I’ve witnessed people dealing with horrible things and inequalities that you wish you can help, but one person can’t change the world. However, one person can start making a difference.

Furthermore, being a student at Georgia State University lets you see how bad things are in Atlanta. You can help as many people as you can by giving them food, money, etc. but that help, although very generous, is only temporary. People need long-term and continuous help. It really is time for everyone to come together to fight for a better world to live in, to fight for a better world for the future generations. As public health students, we need to learn more and be more involved in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, not just for Atlanta or Georgia or the United States, but for the entire population. The purpose of public and global health is to continue bringing awareness about these goals and these issues so that no one gets left behind.