With regards to the link between human health and sustainable development, the World Health Organization has stated, “Health is both a resource for, as well as an outcome of, sustainable development. The goals of sustainable development cannot be achieved when there is a high prevalence of debilitating illness and poverty, and the health of a population cannot be maintained without a responsive health system and a healthy environment. Environmental degradation, mismanagement of natural resources, and unhealthy consumption patterns and lifestyles impact health. Ill-health, in turn, hampers poverty alleviation and economic development.”

Achieving the goals is an ambitious endeavor, but it is one that many leaders hope and believe to be obtainable. Let’s take a closer look at the UN Millennium Development Goals.

EXPLORE: WHO--World Health Organization

Environment in 10 Seconds (UN Movie)

“…we will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights. Unless all these causes are advanced, none will succeed.”
– Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi A. Annan on the importance of the Millennium Goals.