What are the emerging trends and research gaps in health equity and sustainable development?

Planetary health joins the fight for health equity, while digital health tools sprout like digital daisies. But gaps remain: data deserts, tangled social threads, and interventions struggling to scale. The key? Embrace complexity, listen to communities, and nurture policies that blossom into systemic change. With SDOH at the heart of our research, watch health equity bloom for all, one social determinant addressed at a time.

One sustainable development indicator called the Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) accounts for health equity within total sustainability. IWI measures the sustainability of countries by accounting for their natural, human, and produced capital and tracking this value over time. In my dissertation I account for this part of IWI by using health equity data for US counties by accounting for the social determinants of health and other health behaviors. This is the first IWI which accounts for these health equities. I find that by not accounting for changing health equity in the US, 37% of counties are wrongly considered sustainable and accounting for health equity makes a large difference in sustainability outcomes.

The term "social determinants" refers to the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These conditions not only impact the health outcomes of individuals and communities but also influence their ability to access resources and opportunities that support sustainable development. Therefore, addressing the social determinants of health requires a multisectoral and participatory approach involving various stakeholders and levels of governance. Additionally, it is important to empower and include those most affected by these conditions.

Sadly, social determinants, going back to many years back then - a simple meaningful thing. Our lifestyle, being a human and breathing fresh air and sunshine? There's no need to dispute and debate about it. It came easily regardless. But with urbanization and modernization, except for preparing with medical policies, swallowing medications and supplements, fitness has taken a back stage. Lack of time has been said as no time for fitness, including for yoga, the holistic wellness for health. Being in the yoga business, its indeed a major challenge promoting health and it can be done by yoga. Still, lack of believe, lack of understanding and lack of foreseeing what can happen to health? Unless and until health is not wealth?

Social determinants of health, like income and access to healthcare, are getting the spotlight in health equity and sustainable development. While community-driven solutions and digital tools are emerging to tackle these issues, research gaps remain. We need to better quantify the impact of social determinants, track the effectiveness of interventions over time, and design better policies to truly create a society where everyone has a fair shot at health, regardless of background. This is vital for achieving sustainable development where social well-being and environmental health thrive together.

Planetary health recognizes the vital link between human well-being and the health of Earth's ecosystems. It stresses the need for balanced, sustainable approaches that safeguard both people and the environment, acknowledging the interconnectedness of their health. This holistic perspective advocates for equitable, resilient solutions to address environmental degradation and promote sustainable development.

The concept of planetary health emphasizes the interconnectedness of human and environmental health. Recognizing that ecosystem degradation threatens both, it advocates for a holistic approach that considers the impacts of human activities, promoting equitable and sustainable solutions for all.

Digital transformation in health equity offers significant benefits, such as improved service delivery and community engagement. However, it also poses challenges like the digital divide, privacy concerns, and misinformation. Addressing these issues is crucial for equitable and effective health solutions.

Esta tendencia ha contribuido a la asequibilidad de algunos servicios de salud y acerca a los usuarios a conocimientos esenciales de medicina preventiva. También se ha empleado para la inclusión como ofertar atención en lenguas de poca utilización.

Digital transformation in health equity and sustainable development leverages ICTs to enhance health service delivery, quality, and accessibility. It offers significant benefits, including improved data collection and analysis, strengthened health systems, facilitated learning and innovation, and empowered communities. However, it also presents challenges such as widening the digital divide, compromising privacy and security, increasing misinformation and disinformation, and creating ethical and legal dilemmas. Balancing these opportunities and risks requires careful planning, inclusive policies, and robust safeguards to ensure that digital transformation truly advances health equity and sustainable development for all.

A transforma??o digital na saúde é algo necessário e urgente. Por meio dela pode-se oferecer servi?os de melhor qualidade e eficiência para a popula??o. A nível de gest?o de saúde pública a transforma??o digital pode contribuir para a interoperabilidade dos dados, o que possibilita um planejamento e tomadas de decis?o mais precisas e rápidas.

Despite advances in health equity and sustainable development, significant research gaps remain. Key priorities include measuring and monitoring these areas across various dimensions and contexts to guide decision-making. Addressing the root causes of health inequities and unsustainable practices is crucial. Interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities is needed to ensure that research is relevant, inclusive, and ethical. Additionally, the digital transformation offers opportunities but also poses risks that must be managed with respect for human rights.

Being in the holistic wellness industry, I can tell you that health is not wealth, for at least 70% of people who speak to me. They reach out to me, for health reasons, even the professionals, including doctors. People these days are having some sort of health issues, let alone, mind issues. Mind issues meaning, calming the mind, mind happiness and having difficulties in sleeping. Welcome to the real reality world of the hustle of bustle of today's life. Life in the fast lane, life in the stuck in the city traffic jam, working on laptops and staring at handphone culture. Even youngers are struggling with health, like, back pain, and lets not even speak about obesity. But sadly, sustainable development in terms of sustain health?????

?? The largest research gap within sustainable development practices concerns sustainable developments impact on business fundamentals such as profitability, customer / employee experience and ability to navigate tumultuous times. ?? I'd like to see more formal research go into proving the interdependency of both. This would prove what many of us are already seeing anecdotally in our ventures.