UConn Health Minute: Precision Heart Failure Care – UConn Today

Report on a Collaborative Initiative for Precision Heart Failure Care in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases

A significant health challenge, consistent with the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), is the prevalence of heart failure, which currently affects over seven million individuals in the United States. A substantial portion of these cases is not attributable to lifestyle factors, indicating a critical need for advanced medical interventions. This situation underscores the importance of Target 3.4 of the SDGs, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

Strategic Partnership for Innovation and Health

In response to this challenge, a strategic collaboration has been formed between UConn Health and The Jackson Laboratory. This initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by uniting academic and research institutions to achieve a common objective. The partnership is focused on pioneering a new methodology for heart failure treatment centered on personalized care derived from individual patient genetic profiles. This approach aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by promoting scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities within the healthcare sector.

Core Objectives and Contribution to Global Goals

The primary objectives of this joint venture are intrinsically linked to the Sustainable Development Goals:

• Advancing Health Outcomes (SDG 3): To develop and implement precision medicine strategies that improve treatment efficacy for heart failure, thereby contributing directly to the reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases.
• Fostering Innovation (SDG 9): To leverage genetic profiling as a cornerstone of clinical practice, enhancing the technological infrastructure of healthcare and promoting innovative solutions for complex medical conditions.
• Strengthening Collaboration (SDG 17): To create a robust, inter-institutional model for medical research that can accelerate progress and be replicated to address other global health challenges.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article directly addresses health by focusing on heart failure, a major non-communicable disease affecting millions. The development of personalized care based on genetic profiles is an effort to improve health outcomes and well-being for patients with this condition.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • The article highlights a “new approach” to healthcare developed through a collaboration between UConn Health and The Jackson Laboratory. This represents scientific research and innovation aimed at solving a significant health challenge, which aligns with the goal of fostering innovation.

Identified SDG Targets

1. Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.

   • Heart failure is a non-communicable disease. The article’s focus on a new, more effective treatment (“personalized care based on a patient’s genetic profile”) is directly aimed at improving the management and treatment of this disease, thereby contributing to the reduction of premature mortality associated with it.

2. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries.

   • The collaboration between a university health center and a research laboratory to pioneer a new medical approach based on genetics is a clear example of enhancing scientific research and technological capability in the healthcare sector.

Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.

   • This indicator is implied. While the article does not state a mortality rate, it discusses a major cardiovascular disease (heart failure) and a new treatment approach. The ultimate goal of such an improved treatment is to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with the disease. The mention that heart failure “affects more than seven million Americans” provides context for the scale of the health issue that this indicator measures.

2. Indicators for Target 9.5

   • The article does not mention or imply any specific indicators for this target, such as research and development expenditure (9.5.1) or the number of researchers (9.5.2). It only describes the innovative activity itself.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: today.uconn.edu