16 February 2012 | EN | FR The proposed Sustainable Development
Goals need more focus on health to continue the progress
achieved with MDGs, argues Priya Shetty. Since 2000, global
health efforts have been aligned to the aims of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). Indeed, the link has been so close
that some public health experts have voiced concern that health
goals not specified in the MDG manifesto, such as tackling
chronic diseases, have suffered. By offering up clear targets,
the MDGs have galvanised unprecedented funding for public health
interventions and research and development (R&D). Yet after 2015
— the deadline for meeting the goals — this focus threatens to
evaporate and public health is in danger of entering a void.
This article is part of our coverage of preparations for Rio+20
— the UN Conference on Sustainable Development — which takes
place on 20-22 June 2012. For other articles, go to Science at
Rio+20 There is, however, a potential successor to the MDGs.
Discussions leading up to the