Sociological Factors in Achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals
Sociological Factors in Achieving the UN’s SDGs
Health: Achieving SDG 3
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 emphasizes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, regardless of age. While advances in medical technology and biotechnology are valuable, sociological factors offer crucial insights into persistent health disparities. Addressing these disparities requires understanding how social, economic, political, and environmental contexts shape health outcomes. Incorporating sociological theories can inform more comprehensive and equitable strategies to achieve SDG 3.
Bruce Link and Jo Phelan’s fundamental cause theory highlights how social determinants of health—income, education, employment—are persistent barriers to equitable health outcomes. Economic inequality dictates access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, and safe housing. The high cost of healthcare in the US, despite high spending, results in poorer outcomes (e.g., high maternal and infant mortality rates). Addressing these disparities requires tackling underlying economic inequalities.
Peter Conrad’s concept of medicalization explains how human problems are increasingly defined and treated as medical issues, shifting focus from systemic causes. Stress from racism, as illustrated in Kim Anderson’s story, contributes to negative pregnancy outcomes, yet is often framed solely as a medical problem. Recognizing the sociological basis of health issues (racism, poverty, lack of social support) expands approaches to care. The medicalization of social problems (obesity, mental health) often leads to stigma.
Erving Goffman’s theory of stigma reveals how individuals with illnesses or disabilities are classified as “less than normal,” leading to discrimination and reduced access to quality healthcare. This complicates care for illnesses like HIV/AIDS. Reducing stigma (increasing awareness, normalizing STI testing/mental health treatment) is essential for improving health equity.
Cost-efficiency analyses of the US healthcare system reveal inefficiencies and limited government interventions inflating costs. Despite high spending, shorter hospital stays and fewer physician consultations suggest Americans aren’t receiving more care. The emphasis on insurance-reliant care often medicalizes issues to guarantee coverage, furthering inequalities. Sociological insights can inform efforts to prioritize equity and access over profit.
Stress theory highlights how chronic stress, often linked to socioeconomic disadvantage, impacts health. Individuals in poverty are more likely to experience worry and anxiety, contributing to negative health impacts (premature births, cardiovascular diseases). Kim Anderson’s story illustrates how, regardless of lifestyle, racism and systemic inequalities impact health. Reducing stressors through community programs and anti-racism initiatives can improve outcomes. Environmental factors (access to clean air/water, safe housing, green spaces) also significantly impact well-being.
Sociological insights reveal the connections between health and societal structures. Achieving SDG 3 requires shifting from an individual to a broader view addressing economic, social, and environmental factors. Policies promoting education, reduced income inequality, and access to clean environments benefit individual health. Incorporating sociological research into healthcare can help policymakers create effective interventions.
Education: Achieving SDG 4
Education is fundamental to individual opportunity and social advancement. However, disparities in access, quality, and outcomes prevent the achievement of SDG 4 (quality education). Sociological knowledge provides insights into structural inequalities, offering strategies for creating more equitable and effective educational systems.
Educational stratification refers to the systemic ways students are sorted and treated differently based on socioeconomic status, race, and environment. This creates unequal opportunities. Historically, as in 1960s Mississippi, white students received far more resources than Black students (only 7% of Black students graduated high school compared to 46% of white students). Public school funding through local property taxes creates inequalities, with wealthier areas having better-funded schools.
The hidden curriculum (implicit values, norms, and expectations taught in schools) reinforces societal inequalities. Students from wealthy families often possess cultural capital (familiarity with academic concepts, confidence in public speaking, access to resources), giving them a head start. Marginalized students may encounter a hidden curriculum that undermines their cultural identity or enforces lower expectations. Sociological interventions could involve teacher training to recognize biases and include diverse cultural ideas in curriculums.
The idea that education is a public affair, not a luxury, has historical context. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson advocated for publicly funded education accessible to all. John Rawls’s concept of the veil of ignorance suggests policies should be designed as if policymakers didn’t know their own social standing, ensuring fairness. Applying this to education means prioritizing the needs of the most disadvantaged students.
Efforts to reform education (magnet schools, charter schools, voucher programs) often raise equity concerns. Sociological analysis shows the importance of balancing innovation and equity. Targeted investments in underperforming schools/students, reduced class sizes, increased teacher pay, and expanded access to advanced coursework and extracurricular activities are crucial.
Achieving SDG 4 requires a shift from an individual to a community problem. Quality education is necessary for a fairer society. Sociological knowledge highlights structural barriers and offers strategies for advancement. Addressing sociological concepts can build education systems that foster student success.
Decent Work: Achieving SDG 8
SDG 8 stresses raising economic growth while ensuring access to decent work for all. This highlights the relationship between economic growth, opportunity, and improvements in social well-being or equity. Sociological knowledge helps explore this relationship by revealing structural inequalities.
Economic growth doesn’t always lead to improved conditions for all. Trickle-down economics assumes increasing wealth at the top benefits those at the bottom, but evidence shows wealth often remains concentrated at the top, widening the wealth gap. Economic policies prioritizing tax cuts or deregulation may increase GDP but fail to address stagnant wages, job insecurity, or underemployment. Sociological insights stress the need for policies that stimulate growth and distribute benefits equitably (progressive taxation, stronger labor protections, investments in public services).
In the context of SDG 8, decent work includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and opportunities for growth. The rise of AI and automation complicates this. Research (Karen Levy’s Data Driven) shows how new technologies can exploit workers. Gig workers often lack benefits, making them vulnerable. Policies addressing changing labor markets while protecting worker rights (universal basic income, minimum wage laws) are needed.
Stable housing is crucial for pursuing education, employment, and personal growth. As economic growth drives up housing costs, low- and middle-income workers are disadvantaged. Policies addressing housing affordability (rent controls, housing policies for first-time homebuyers) are needed.
Sociological knowledge reveals the importance of viewing economic growth and social well-being as connected goals. Inclusive policies prioritizing job creation in areas like education and healthcare can stimulate growth while promoting social well-being. Investing in human capital through education and skills training is crucial. Combating discrimination and promoting workplace diversity ensures opportunities are accessible to all.
Achieving SDG 8 requires a broad approach combining economic growth with social equity. Sociological insights reveal structural barriers to progress. By prioritizing decent work and addressing inequalities, societies can create a functional economy that benefits everyone.