Report on Public Health Advocacy and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Case Study in Health Communication

A recent public announcement by media professional Rob Williams regarding his prostate cancer diagnosis serves as a significant case study in public health advocacy. This report analyzes the event, its key messages, and its direct alignment with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Mr. Williams’ public disclosure is a direct contribution to achieving targets within SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. His actions specifically support the reduction of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention, treatment, and the promotion of mental health and well-being.

Promoting Early Diagnosis and Prevention (Target 3.4)

The core message of the announcement was to encourage proactive health management and early diagnosis among men, a demographic often hesitant to discuss health issues. Key points include:

• Public Disclosure: Mr. Williams announced his diagnosis to destigmatize the disease and encourage open conversation.
• Call to Action: He implored other men to overcome fear and get tested for prostate cancer to enable early detection and treatment.
• Emphasis on Simplicity: The report highlights that the initial screening is a simple blood test, reducing perceived barriers to seeking medical advice.

Enhancing Health Literacy: The PSA Test

A critical component of the advocacy effort was educating the public on the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a key indicator for prostate cancer. This aligns with SDG 3’s goal of increasing health capacity and awareness.

1. “Know Your Number”: This campaign slogan emphasizes the importance of individuals knowing their personal PSA level as a baseline for health monitoring.
2. Diagnostic Thresholds: While a single normal level is not universally defined, medical guidelines provide age-specific reference points for what may be considered an elevated or abnormal PSA level requiring further investigation.
3. Age-Based PSA Guidelines:
   • Ages 40 to 50: An abnormal level is considered higher than 2.5 ng/ml.
   • Ages 50 to 60: An abnormal level is considered higher than 3.5 ng/ml.
   • Ages 60 to 70: An abnormal level is considered higher than 4.5 ng/ml.
   • Ages 70 to 80: An abnormal level is considered higher than 5.5 ng/ml.

Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Community Mobilization through Public Events

The report notes the role of community events in building partnerships between the public, non-profit organizations, and healthcare advocates. The Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk is a prime example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in action, mobilizing resources to achieve a common health objective.

• Event: Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk at Sawyer Point.
• Objective: To honor patients, remember those lost, and raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and support.
• Leadership: Mr. Williams will serve as the event’s emcee, leveraging his platform to amplify the cause.

Addressing Health Inequalities (SDG 10 & SDG 5)

Overcoming Gender-Specific Health Barriers

The initiative addresses a cultural and gender-specific barrier to health, which contributes to inequalities in health outcomes, a concern related to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and the broader principle of health equity in SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By highlighting that men are often reluctant to discuss their health, the campaign seeks to normalize these conversations and ensure that gender does not become a barrier to accessing life-saving preventative care.

Statistical Imperative for Action

Data from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) underscores the urgency of this health issue, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions as outlined in the SDGs.

• High Incidence: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in the U.S., aside from non-melanoma skin cancer.
• Lifetime Risk: An estimated 12.9% of men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Mortality Rate: It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men, following lung cancer.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The entire article is centered on health, specifically addressing prostate cancer, a non-communicable disease. It highlights the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and community support, all of which are central to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The personal story of Rob Williams is used as a vehicle to promote public health awareness regarding a significant health issue affecting men.

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

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 directly supports this target by focusing on prostate cancer, a major non-communicable disease. Rob Williams’ call to action, “he implores men to get tested for prostate cancer so it can be caught early, and treatment can begin,” is a clear advocacy for prevention (through early detection) and treatment to reduce premature mortality. The article also cites that prostate cancer is the “second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the U.S.,” underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue to meet the target.
2. 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.
   • While the article is set in the U.S., it exemplifies the principle of strengthening capacity for managing national health risks. By sharing his story on a major news platform, Rob Williams is contributing to public health communication, which is a form of early warning and risk reduction. His statement, “I want to talk about my prostate cancer diagnosis because I don’t think as men, we talk about it enough,” highlights a gap in public discourse and aims to manage the health risk by encouraging proactive screening and conversation.

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

1. Mortality and Incidence Rates for Cancer
   • The article explicitly provides data that aligns with official SDG indicators for Target 3.4 (Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to… cancer). It states, “prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the U.S.” and “an estimated 12.9% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetime.” These statistics serve as baseline indicators to measure the prevalence and mortality rate of this specific non-communicable disease.
2. Health Screening and Diagnostic Information
   • The article details a specific diagnostic tool, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, describing it as “a blood test.” It even includes a table from the Cleveland Clinic that shows “how providers determine normal and abnormal PSA levels” based on age. The promotion of “knowing your number” implies that the rate of PSA testing among the male population is a key indicator of progress in early detection efforts.
3. Public Awareness Campaigns and Events
   • The article mentions “Prostate Cancer Awareness Month” and the “Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk.” The existence and participation in such events are implicit indicators of public awareness and community engagement in health issues. These activities are crucial for disseminating information and encouraging preventative health behaviors, contributing to the overall goal of risk reduction.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: fox19.com