Disease epidemic – RaleighNC.gov

Report on Epidemics, Pandemics, and Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Defining Public Health Emergencies

A public health emergency is characterized by a significant increase in the incidence of a disease within a specific community or geographic area. This report delineates two primary classifications of such events:

• Epidemic: A sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease beyond what is normally anticipated for a given population in a specific area.
• Pandemic: An epidemic that has escalated to a global scale, spreading across multiple countries or continents and affecting a substantial portion of the global population.

2.0 Impact on Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Epidemics and pandemics represent a primary challenge to the achievement of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. The emergence of novel pathogens, such as new viruses or bacteria (e.g., Legionnaire’s Disease, cholera), can lead to severe public health crises.

2.1 Key Health Risks and Determinants

The severity of a disease outbreak is contingent upon several factors directly impacting public health outcomes:

1. Pathogen Characteristics: The inherent virulence and transmissibility of the virus or bacterium.
2. Population Immunity: The level of pre-existing immunity within the population. Novel pathogens are particularly dangerous as few individuals possess natural immunity, and vaccine availability may be limited.
3. Individual Health Status: The age and underlying health conditions of infected individuals significantly influence morbidity and mortality rates, underscoring the importance of addressing health inequalities as part of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

3.0 Broader Implications for the Sustainable Development Agenda

The consequences of epidemics extend beyond public health, systematically undermining progress across multiple SDGs.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Widespread illness often necessitates the closure of public spaces, including schools, disrupting educational continuity and access for all.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Public health measures, such as travel and mobility limitations, severely impact economic activity, leading to job losses and economic instability.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Outbreaks test the resilience of community infrastructure and public services, highlighting the need for robust emergency preparedness in urban and rural settings.

4.0 Recommendations for a Coordinated Response

To mitigate the impact of disease outbreaks and safeguard progress towards the SDGs, a coordinated response is essential. It is imperative for populations to adhere to guidance from public health authorities and medical experts. Key actions include:

• Monitoring official news sources for accurate information on disease transmission.
• Implementing recommended preventative measures to reduce the spread of infection.
• Adopting protective behaviors as advised by health professionals to protect oneself and the community.

Such a response aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing the need for collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society to build resilient health systems capable of withstanding future public health emergencies.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on epidemics and pandemics directly addresses and connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the most prominent SDG related to the article. The entire text focuses on public health crises, defining epidemics and pandemics, discussing the risks of “widespread illness,” and the factors influencing disease severity. It directly concerns ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages by addressing communicable diseases.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article explicitly mentions “cholera” as an example of a disease caused by bacteria that can lead to localized outbreaks. Cholera is a water-borne disease, directly linking the prevention of such epidemics to the availability of clean water and adequate sanitation, which is the core mission of SDG 6.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article highlights the societal impact of epidemics, noting that “public spaces such as schools may be closed” and there may be “travel and mobility limitations.” These effects directly impact the functioning, safety, and resilience of cities and communities. Managing epidemics is crucial for making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.3: End epidemics and combat communicable diseases

   The article’s central theme is the definition and risk of epidemics and pandemics. It states that an epidemic is “an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected.” By discussing the causes (new viruses, bacteria like cholera) and impacts of these events, it directly relates to the goal of ending the epidemics of communicable and water-borne diseases.

2. Target 3.d: Strengthen early warning and management of health risks

   The text emphasizes the need to “pay close attention to the news and advice from medical personnel” and to “take recommended preventative and protective measures.” This points to the importance of national and global capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health crises, which is the focus of Target 3.d.

3. Target 11.5: Reduce the number of people affected by disasters

   A pandemic is classified as a biological disaster. The article notes that a pandemic “usually affect[s] a large number of people” and causes “widespread illness.” This aligns with Target 11.5, which aims to significantly reduce the number of people affected by disasters.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators for measuring progress:

• Incidence of communicable diseases

  The article defines an epidemic as an “increase… in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected.” This concept of tracking the number of new cases is the basis for official indicators like Indicator 3.3.2 (Tuberculosis incidence per 1,000 population) and other indicators measuring the incidence of communicable diseases like cholera. The article’s mention of cholera specifically implies the need to track the incidence of water-borne diseases.

• Health emergency preparedness capacity

  The advice to follow guidance from “medical personnel” and public news implies the existence of a public health system capable of monitoring, reporting, and guiding the public during a health emergency. This relates directly to Indicator 3.d.1 (International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness), which measures a country’s ability to manage public health events.

• Number of people affected by a disaster

  The article’s description of pandemics affecting a “large number of people” and causing “widespread illness” directly corresponds to Indicator 11.5.1 (Number of… directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population). Tracking the number of individuals who get sick during an epidemic is a primary way to measure the scale and impact of such a disaster.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: raleighnc.gov