Evanston Public Library hosts presentation on health disparities Nov. 17 – Evanston RoundTable

Community Health Equity Presentation Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview and Objectives

A presentation addressing preventable health disparities will be hosted by the Evanston Public Library on Monday, November 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on community health, education, and the reduction of inequalities. Maureen Burns of the HAP Foundation will lead the session, examining the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health inequities. The discussion will focus on actionable strategies to promote greater health equity, a cornerstone of sustainable community development.

The HAP Foundation, a non-profit organization, contributes to these goals by providing culturally-affirming education on serious illness and care, thereby ensuring inclusive and equitable access to health information for all community members.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The event’s focus on health disparities and their underlying causes demonstrates a strong commitment to several key SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The presentation’s central theme is to address health disparities and promote equitable health outcomes, directly contributing to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By analyzing how social and economic factors create health inequities, the session directly confronts the challenge of reducing inequality within and among communities.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The library provides a platform for inclusive and equitable quality education, offering lifelong learning opportunities for the community on critical issues of health and social justice.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The discussion on environmental determinants of health supports the objective of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between a public institution (Evanston Public Library) and a non-profit organization (HAP Foundation) exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Logistical Details

1. Presenter: Maureen Burns, HAP Foundation
2. Topic: Preventable Health Disparities and Strategies for Health Equity
3. Date and Time: Monday, November 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
4. Location: Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
5. Cost: Free and open to the public.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is “preventable health disparities” and the promotion of “greater health equity.” This directly aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The discussion of serious illness, hospice, and palliative care further reinforces this connection.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article explicitly states that the presentation will discuss how “social, economic and environmental factors contribute to health disparities.” This directly addresses the core of SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequality within and among countries by tackling the root causes of discrimination and marginalization. Health equity is a key outcome of reducing such inequalities.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The event is an educational presentation hosted by a public library. The HAP Foundation provides “culturally-affirming education for community members.” This connects to SDG 4, particularly its emphasis on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The presentation serves as a form of community and adult education.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The event is hosted by the Evanston Public Library, a public institution providing free access to information for the community. This supports SDG 16, which aims to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. By hosting a presentation on a critical social issue like health equity, the library is fulfilling its role in ensuring public access to information.

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

• Target 3.8 (under SDG 3): “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.” The article’s focus on “health equity” and the HAP Foundation’s work in “hospice care, palliative care” relate directly to ensuring access to quality essential health-care services for all segments of the community.
• Target 10.2 (under SDG 10): “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The presentation’s goal to “promote greater health equity” by addressing disparities caused by social and economic factors is a direct effort towards achieving this target. The mention of “culturally-affirming education” also points to inclusive practices.
• Target 4.7 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” The presentation aims to educate community members on health disparities and equity, which is a form of education for sustainable development and the promotion of human rights and social justice.
• Target 16.10 (under SDG 16): “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.” The Evanston Public Library, a public institution, is providing a free event to give the public access to information about health disparities, directly fulfilling this target.

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

The article, being an event announcement, does not contain explicit quantitative data. However, it implies several qualitative and activity-based indicators:

• Indicator for Target 3.8 & 4.7: The existence and number of educational programs or presentations available to the public on health equity. The article itself is evidence of one such event. The call to “register for the event” implies that the number of attendees will be tracked, which can serve as a metric for community engagement and knowledge dissemination.
• Indicator for Target 10.2: The existence of community-focused strategies to promote health equity. The presentation promises to “share strategies to promote greater health equity in communities,” indicating that such strategies are being developed and disseminated, which is a measure of progress.
• Indicator for Target 16.10: The number of free and accessible public forums on social issues hosted by public institutions. The event being “free” and held at the “Evanston Public Library” serves as a direct indicator of a public institution providing access to information.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: evanstonroundtable.com