Sustainable Development Goal Integration, Interdependence, and Implementation: the Environment-Economic-Health Nexus and Universal Health Coverage

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are interdependent and integrated. The SDGs aim to impact all levels of society, reach across all sectors, embrace equity, inclusion, and universality, and operate in an ecosystem. SDG 3 strives to improve health outcomes by reducing mortality, ending epidemics, preventing diseases, and implementing universal health coverage (UHC) for accessible, affordable, quality, and equitable healthcare. The available infrastructure (environment) should be supportive and sustained by a stable, growing economy (economy) to ensure the timely and reliable delivery of quality healthcare (health). A general framework is presented for the implementation of the SDGs with a focus on SDG 3 and one of its targets, UHC. The robustly aligned environment-economic-health nexus is a key determinant for the successful implementation of UHC (and the SDGs). SDG implementation presents multiple convoluted challenges at national, regional, continental, and global levels but will ultimately yield rewards. To advance UHC, a global effort is required where timely information is shared and nations partner to achieve this important global health target. Especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the learning and sharing of experiences and knowledge are essential throughout the course of implementation. This will ensure that no nation is left behind.