Analysis of Social and Health Challenges in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Case Study 1: Substance Abuse, Co-dependency, and SDG 3

A submitted case highlights significant challenges to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The report details an individual suffering from severe alcoholism, consuming approximately one-fifth of a gallon of vodka every two days. This behavior directly contravenes Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including the harmful use of alcohol.

The consequences of this substance abuse manifest in several critical areas impacting SDG 3:

• Deterioration of Physical Health: The subject experiences mobility issues and frequent falls, and the ongoing alcohol consumption prevents access to necessary surgical procedures, thereby failing to ensure healthy lives.
• Mental and Emotional Strain on Caregivers: The subject’s spouse experiences significant personal distress, a condition described as being “worn down.” This underscores the importance of promoting mental health and well-being for all individuals within a community, including caregivers.
• Barriers to Treatment: The subject’s refusal to engage with medical professionals, rehabilitation facilities, or community support systems presents a major obstacle to receiving care. The spouse’s enabling behavior, while intended to prevent greater public harm (e.g., drunk driving), perpetuates the cycle of abuse and ill-health.

The case points to the need for robust and accessible institutions, as outlined in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), that can provide integrated support. The recommendation of resources like Al-Anon and SMART Recovery highlights the role of community-level support systems in addressing complex health crises and supporting the well-being of families affected by addiction.

Case Study 2: Social Isolation in Aging Populations and its Impact on Well-being

A second case study reports on the phenomenon of social isolation among older adults, a critical issue impacting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The subject, a 60-year-old woman, observes that her peers increasingly dominate conversations with self-focused monologues, indicating a potential shrinking of their social spheres and a decline in reciprocal social engagement.

This issue relates to the Sustainable Development Goals in the following ways:

1. Mental Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Meaningful social interaction is a key component of mental health. A lack of reciprocal conversation can lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness, and social exclusion, negatively impacting the well-being of older individuals.
2. Age-Related Inequality (SDG 10): The tendency for older individuals to become socially isolated can be seen as a form of age-related inequality. The recommendation to actively enlarge one’s social circle points to the need for creating inclusive social environments that empower individuals of all ages to participate fully.
3. Inclusive Communities (SDG 11): This case underscores the importance of fostering sustainable and inclusive communities. Such communities must provide opportunities for diverse and meaningful social connections that combat the isolation often experienced by aging populations, thereby promoting overall community health and resilience.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The first letter explicitly discusses issues of substance abuse (alcoholism), its severe physical health consequences (“health conditions that make walking difficult,” inability to get surgery), and the resulting negative impact on the mental health and well-being of a family member (“Taking care of him is wearing her down”). The second letter also relates to this goal by addressing the mental well-being of an older adult who feels “frustrated” by her social interactions, touching upon issues of social connection and mental health in later life.

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

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

  This target is directly relevant to the first letter. The husband’s alcoholism, described as consuming “a fifth of vodka every two days,” is a clear case of harmful use of alcohol. The entire dilemma revolves around the lack of treatment, with the text mentioning that the sister-in-law has tried “rehab facilities” and that he “needs a medical facility that also treats addiction.” The advice provided, suggesting support groups like Al-Anon and SMART Recovery, further emphasizes the focus on treating and managing substance abuse and its effects on families.

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

  This target’s focus on promoting mental health and well-being is applicable to both letters in the article. In the first story, the sister-in-law’s well-being is deteriorating as she is being “worn down” by her caregiving role. The advice to seek support at Al-Anon or SMART Recovery is a direct attempt to promote her mental health. In the second story, the 60-year-old woman’s feeling of being “extremely rude” and “frustrated” by her friends points to a decline in her social and mental well-being. The advice to enlarge her social circle is aimed at improving her quality of life and mental state.

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

• Harmful use of alcohol:

  The article provides a specific, quantifiable measure of alcohol consumption that serves as a direct indicator of harmful use. The statement that the husband “consumes a fifth of vodka every two days” is a clear data point related to indicator 3.5.2 (Harmful use of alcohol).

• Availability and use of treatment and support services for substance abuse and mental health:

  The article implies this indicator by repeatedly mentioning various services. It references “rehab facilities,” “Al-Anon,” and “SMART Recovery.” The sister-in-law’s attempt to use one of these services (“I took her to an Al-Anon meeting”) and the columnist’s recommendation of another (“She can locate a Family and Friends meeting by visiting smartrecovery.org/family”) point to the existence and importance of a support infrastructure for substance abuse and mental health, which relates to indicator 3.5.1 (Coverage of treatment interventions for substance use disorders).

• Self-reported mental well-being:

  The article contains qualitative indicators of mental well-being through the descriptions provided by the letter writers. Phrases like “wearing her down” and “I find this extremely rude… leave me frustrated” serve as self-reported measures of negative mental health states, which are central to the promotion of well-being under Target 3.4.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nypost.com