The Role of Pharmacists in Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Introduction: Social Isolation as a Barrier to Sustainable Health

Social isolation and loneliness have been identified as a significant public health crisis, undermining progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3): Good Health and Well-being. Data from the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine indicates that nearly half of all adults in the United States report feelings of loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly exacerbated this issue, leading to widespread social isolation and highlighting the profound mental and physical health consequences. Despite its prevalence, a general lack of awareness persists, with most affected individuals not recognizing it as a serious health issue.

Health and Economic Impacts Detrimental to SDGs

The failure to address social isolation directly impedes the achievement of global development targets. The multifaceted impacts include significant health deterioration and economic strain.

• Impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Research demonstrates that social isolation increases the risk of premature death by 29% and is linked to higher incidences of heart disease, stroke, dementia, anxiety, and depression.
• Impact on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The consequences extend to the economy, with social isolation contributing to workplace absenteeism and costing an estimated $154 billion.

A critical challenge is the perception gap, as less than 20% of those experiencing loneliness view it as a major problem, hindering proactive health-seeking behaviors and community-level interventions.

Pharmacists: Community-Level Enablers of Health and Wellness

Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to address the social determinants of health and advance several SDGs through their established community presence and trusted professional status. Their role extends beyond medication management to encompass a holistic approach to patient wellness.

In contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), pharmacists act as accessible health hubs. Their key functions include:

• Health coaching
• Community education
• System-level innovation
• Building personal, trusted relationships with patients

A Strategic Framework for Pharmacist-Led Interventions

To effectively combat loneliness and promote social connection, pharmacists can implement a structured approach that aligns with the principles of lifestyle medicine and contributes to multiple SDGs.

1. Assessment and Identification: Utilize validated instruments, such as the UCLA Loneliness Scale, to formally assess patients for loneliness and social isolation.
2. Education and Awareness: Engage in conversations with patients to explain the critical link between social health and overall well-being, thereby promoting health literacy as a component of SDG 3.
3. Social Prescribing and Resource Connection: Refer patients to community resources, support networks, social activities, and wellness programs. This practice strengthens community ties, directly supporting SDG 11 and fostering the multi-stakeholder collaboration essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
4. Holistic Medication Review: Ensure that prescribed medication regimens do not inadvertently create barriers to social participation, such as by causing drowsiness that interferes with social activities.

Conclusion: Integrating Social Health into Pharmaceutical Care for Global Goals

By addressing loneliness and social isolation, pharmacists play a pivotal role in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Their interventions directly support SDG 3 by mitigating a major public health crisis and promoting mental and physical well-being. This expanded role, which frames pharmacists as health coaches and community educators, helps reduce health inequalities (SDG 10) by providing accessible care. Ultimately, this paradigm shift from disease treatment to wellness promotion is fundamental to building resilient, healthy, and socially connected communities, embodying the core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly addresses SDG 3 by defining loneliness and social isolation as a “public health crisis.” It extensively discusses the negative impacts on both “physical and mental health,” mentioning increased risks of premature death, heart disease, stroke, anxiety, and depression. The central theme is the role of pharmacists in promoting “overall well-being” and shifting focus from “disease treatment to wellness promotion.”

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article connects to SDG 8 by highlighting the economic consequences of the health crisis. It states, “Social isolation has even been known to impact workplace absenteeism, resulting in up to $154 billion in costs.” This links the issue of social isolation directly to workforce productivity and economic performance.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• SDG 11 is relevant through the article’s focus on community-level interventions. It describes pharmacists as “community educators” and “system-level innovators” who are “uniquely positioned to manage patients” due to their presence in “thousands of communities across the country.” Their role involves connecting patients to “community resources,” “support networks,” and “social activities,” thereby fostering more inclusive and socially connected communities.

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. 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 aligns with this target by identifying social isolation as a factor that leads to a “29% increased risk of premature death” and “heightened risks of heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and dementia” (non-communicable diseases). The proposed interventions by pharmacists are aimed at preventing these outcomes and explicitly promoting mental health and well-being.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

1. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men…
   • This target is implicated when the article discusses how social isolation affects “workplace absenteeism.” Addressing loneliness and its health impacts would, in turn, reduce absenteeism and contribute to more “productive employment.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
   • While not about physical spaces, the article addresses the spirit of this target by focusing on access to social infrastructure. Pharmacists improve access to “community resources,” “support networks,” and “social activities,” which function as inclusive social spaces that combat isolation and build community resilience.

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

For Target 3.4 (Promote mental health and well-being and reduce premature mortality)

• Prevalence of loneliness: The article provides specific statistics that can serve as a baseline indicator, such as “nearly half of US adults report feeling lonely” and “at least 33% of all US adults reporting feelings of loneliness.” Progress could be measured by a reduction in these percentages.
• Risk of premature mortality: The article mentions that isolation can lead to a “29% increased risk of premature death.” This statistic can be used as an indicator to track the mortality impact of social isolation.
• Use of assessment tools: The article explicitly names the “UCLA Loneliness Scale” as an established approach pharmacists can use. The rate of screening for loneliness using such tools can be an indicator of proactive mental health assessment.

For Target 8.5 (Achieve full and productive employment)

• Rate of workplace absenteeism and associated costs: The article implies this indicator by stating that social isolation impacts “workplace absenteeism, resulting in up to $154 billion in costs.” A reduction in absenteeism rates and related economic costs would indicate progress.

For Target 11.7 (Provide universal access to inclusive spaces)

• Rate of referrals to community resources: The article implies that progress can be measured by the actions of pharmacists who “provide recommendations and referrals to appropriate resources, such as support networks, social activities, or wellness programs.” Tracking the number and success of these referrals would serve as an indicator of improved access to community support systems.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: drugtopics.com