Report on Digital Health Information and its Role in Supporting Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

1.0 Purpose and Scope of General Health Information Resources

This report outlines the function of a digital health information platform sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The platform’s primary objective is to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, by providing accessible educational resources.

• Provision of general educational information on a wide range of health-related issues.
• Facilitation of access to health-related resources for user convenience and public knowledge enhancement.
• Support for increased health literacy, a critical component for achieving the targets within SDG 3.

2.0 Delineation of Service and Limitations in the Context of Professional Healthcare

To ensure alignment with the principles of safe and effective healthcare delivery as outlined in SDG 3, it is imperative to define the limitations of this informational resource. The platform is not a substitute for professional medical services.

1. Exclusion of Professional Medical Advice: The site and its resources do not constitute professional medical advice and cannot replace the direct care that patients receive from their physicians or other qualified health care providers.
2. Non-Engagement in Clinical Practice: The platform is not intended for the practice of medicine, nursing, or the provision of any professional health care advice or service.
3. Prohibition on Use for Diagnosis or Treatment: Content provided is not to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or as a basis for professional treatment. Relying on such information would undermine SDG 3’s emphasis on access to quality essential health-care services.

3.0 Recommendations for Responsible Use to Promote Individual and Community Health

Users are advised to engage with the content in a manner that supports their health and well-being, reinforcing the importance of the formal healthcare system in achieving SDG 3.

• Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care provider for medical guidance.
• Consult a qualified health care provider before beginning any new treatment or if questions arise regarding a health condition.
• Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice as a result of information encountered on this site. Timely consultation with healthcare professionals is essential for maintaining good health.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article is exclusively focused on health. It discusses the provision of “general educational information on health-related issues” and emphasizes the importance of seeking “professional medical advice” from physicians and licensed health care providers. This directly aligns with the core objective of SDG 3, which is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

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

• Target 3.8: 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 describes a website that provides “access to health-related resources.” This service contributes to the goal of ensuring access to essential health-care services by improving health literacy and guiding users toward professional care. By stressing that users should “Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider,” the article reinforces the importance of accessing professional and quality health services, a key component of universal health coverage.

• Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

  The provision of “general educational information on health-related issues” serves as a tool for public health education. Educating the public about health conditions and treatments helps strengthen a population’s capacity to manage health risks. The website acts as a platform for disseminating information, which is a fundamental aspect of health risk reduction and management.

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

• Implied Indicator related to 3.8.1 (Coverage of essential health services):

  The article does not contain quantitative data or explicit indicators. However, the existence of the website itself, as described in the text, can be considered an implied qualitative indicator. The website’s function of providing “access to health-related resources” represents an effort to improve the “service capacity and access” component of Indicator 3.8.1. It is a tangible resource aimed at increasing public access to health information, thereby contributing to the coverage of essential health services.

• Implied Indicator related to 3.d.1 (International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness):

  The article’s description of a platform for disseminating “general educational information on health-related issues” implies an effort to enhance public health communication. The availability and accessibility of such health information platforms can be viewed as an indicator of a country’s capacity to inform and educate its citizens about health risks, which is a component of IHR capacity and overall health preparedness.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ahealthiermichigan.org