JFK granddaughter shares terminal cancer diagnosis – BBC

Report on Tatiana Schlossberg’s Health Announcement and its Intersection with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Personal Health Crisis Highlighting Global Challenges

Climate journalist Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has announced a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia with a prognosis of less than one year. This personal health battle, detailed in an essay for The New Yorker, brings into sharp focus several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, institutional integrity, and climate action.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Ms. Schlossberg’s experience directly relates to the core targets of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. Her situation underscores the global challenge of combating non-communicable diseases and the critical need for accessible, quality healthcare.

• Diagnosis and Treatment: Diagnosed after giving birth in May 2024, Ms. Schlossberg has undergone treatments including chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, reflecting the advanced medical interventions required to fight such diseases.
• Healthcare System Integrity: Her essay expresses significant concern over the stability of the healthcare system. She specifically critiques the appointment of her second cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as U.S. health secretary, citing his lack of experience in medicine or public health. This highlights the importance of robust and reliable health institutions for achieving universal health coverage, a key target of SDG 3.
• Maternal and Child Health: As a mother to two young children, her primary concern is that they will not remember her. This personalises the devastating impact of disease on families, touching upon SDG 3’s focus on reducing mortality and ensuring the well-being of mothers and children.

SDG 13: Climate Action

As an established climate journalist, Ms. Schlossberg’s professional life is dedicated to the principles of SDG 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change. Her work involves educating the public and advocating for policies that address environmental degradation, demonstrating a commitment to the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants. Her personal health struggle presents a poignant juxtaposition with her public advocacy for global well-being.

Interconnected Goals: Governance, Gender, and Justice

Ms. Schlossberg’s narrative also intersects with other fundamental SDGs, illustrating their interconnected nature.

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Her critique of a political appointee’s fitness to lead a national health agency is a direct commentary on the need for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The stability of the healthcare system, on which she and millions of others rely, is contingent upon competent governance, a cornerstone of SDG 16.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The diagnosis following the birth of her daughter brings attention to the unique health challenges women face, particularly concerning maternal health. Ensuring women have access to comprehensive healthcare throughout their lives is a critical component of achieving both gender equality (SDG 5) and universal health (SDG 3).

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

   The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The central theme of the article is Tatiana Schlossberg’s diagnosis with acute myeloid leukaemia, a non-communicable disease. It details her treatment, prognosis, and the personal impact of the illness, which directly aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article touches upon this goal through Schlossberg’s critique of the US healthcare system’s leadership. Her concern about her second cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., being appointed as health secretary “despite never having worked in medicine, public health, or the government” raises questions about the effectiveness and accountability of public institutions.

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

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • 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.
     
     The article is a direct account of a battle with a non-communicable disease (acute myeloid leukaemia). Schlossberg’s diagnosis at age 35 and her prognosis of having “less than a year to live” is a clear example of premature mortality from such a disease. The text also highlights the importance of treatment through mentions of “a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy” and a “clinical trial.”
   • 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.
     
     Schlossberg’s narrative shows she has access to advanced health-care services, including clinical trials. However, her statement that “the healthcare system on which I relied felt strained, shaky” following a political appointment expresses concern over the future quality and effectiveness of these essential services.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
     
     This target is relevant due to Schlossberg’s criticism of the appointment of the new health secretary. She questions the logic of confirming someone for the position who lacks relevant experience, which implies a critique of the accountability and effectiveness of the governmental institution responsible for public health.

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

   The article implies several indicators, although it does not provide quantitative data:

   • Indicator for Target 3.4 (Implied): The official indicator is 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease. The article provides a qualitative, personal case study relevant to this indicator by focusing on a specific type of cancer (acute myeloid leukaemia) and the high probability of mortality associated with it for the individual.
   • Indicators for Target 3.8 (Implied): While no specific metrics are given, the article implies indicators related to access to and quality of healthcare. The mention of specific treatments like “bone marrow transplant,” “chemotherapy,” and “clinical trial” points to the availability and use of essential health services. Schlossberg’s feeling that the system is “strained, shaky” serves as a qualitative indicator of public confidence in the quality and reliability of the healthcare system.
   • Indicator for Target 16.6 (Implied): There is no quantitative indicator mentioned. However, Schlossberg’s essay and her alarm at the appointment of a health secretary she deems unqualified can be seen as a qualitative measure of public perception regarding the accountability and meritocracy within government institutions. It reflects a concern that key public institutions are not being led effectively.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Identified or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.	Implied relevance to Indicator 3.4.1 (Mortality rate attributed to cancer), through the personal account of living with terminal acute myeloid leukaemia.
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality essential health-care services.	Implied indicators: Access to advanced medical treatments (chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, clinical trials) and public confidence in the quality of the healthcare system.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions.	Implied indicator: Public perception of the effectiveness and accountability of government appointments in key sectors like public health.

Source: bbc.com