You thought the pandemic was over, but it’s still kicking our butts

Pandemic’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

It has been four years since the White House declared the coronavirus a national emergency. Not until May 2023 had it wound down enough that federal officials could declare the whole miserable ordeal over.

By then, some 7 million Americans were hospitalized. And 1.1 million had died.

It was a catastrophic event you see once in 100 years, and we were only beginning to understand that it would produce aftershocks, the dire and delayed effects that only massive trauma can create on world and national populations.

Soaring Rate of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease

In a deep dive into more than 5 million hospitalization records from 2016 to 2022, Republic reporter Kunle Falayi found that the increased level of drinking during the pandemic is expressing itself now in high hospitalization rates for liver diseases, especially alcoholic cirrhosis.

Two years after the pandemic began, the rate of alcoholic liver disease had increased by 23% over pre-pandemic levels, reported Falayi. Hospitalizations for alcoholic cirrhosis soared by 42%.

Impact on School Children

One of the first understood aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic was the toll on school children. More than a year of missing in-classroom instruction had set them back in their educations.

By spring 2022, the average public-school student was half a year behind in math and a third of a year behind in reading, reported a team of researchers from Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins and the testing company NWEA.

Mental Health Crisis

One of the grave consequences of the pandemic was its toll on the mental health of young people, including that of young adults ages 20 to 24.

At the start of the pandemic, that cohort of young people saw its highest rate of suicide in more than 50 years, USA Today reported.

Among high school students, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 44% said they had felt persistent sadness or helplessness in the past year.

Societal and Political Impacts

The pandemic has also infected our politics and altered our perceptions of American leadership, The New York Times reports.

“Public confidence in institutions — the presidency, public schools, the criminal justice system, the news media, Congress — slumped in surveys in the aftermath of the pandemic and has yet to recover,” The Times reported on Sunday.

The ordeal magnified distrust in government, The Times reported.

Conclusion

It will be years before we understand the true cost of the pandemic and its impacts on both the physical, mental and social health of our people and country.

The age of fighting sail had an expression for this ultimate toll of battle. They called it “the butcher’s bill.”

Phil Boas is an editorial columnist with The Arizona Republic. Email him at phil.boas@arizonarepublic.com.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the impact of the pandemic on alcohol-related liver disease, mental health, and the healthcare system. These issues are directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The article mentions the negative effects of the pandemic on the education of school children. This is connected to SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article briefly mentions the impact of the pandemic on public confidence in institutions and politics. This is relevant to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

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

Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

The article highlights the increased rate of alcohol-related liver disease during the pandemic, indicating the need to strengthen the prevention and treatment of harmful alcohol consumption.

Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

The article discusses the learning loss experienced by school children due to the pandemic, emphasizing the need to ensure that all children have access to quality education.

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 mentions the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, including increased rates of suicide and anxiety or depression. This highlights the importance of promoting mental health and well-being and reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

The article briefly touches on the impact of the pandemic on public confidence in institutions and politics, indicating the need to develop effective and accountable institutions.

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

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the issues discussed, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders

This indicator can measure progress in strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including alcohol-related liver disease.

Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex

This indicator can measure progress in ensuring that all children complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.

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

This indicator can measure progress in reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health and well-being.

Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar)

This indicator can measure progress in developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: azcentral.com

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