International Nurses Day – 12 May 2017
International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every May 12 – the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, to mark the contributions nurses make to society.
This year, ICN – The International Council of Nurses have chosen the theme, “Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals” for its International Nurses Day. Their aim is to raise awareness both amongst the nursing profession and the general population and policy makers of what the SDGs are and why they matter.
Take some time to check out their awesome new website they have just released.
https://www.icnvoicetolead.com
You can also watch the International Nurses Day video and see how the work of nurses help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. If you are a nurse or you know of one - make sure they share their story.
Cubro would like to acknowledge the many innovative, compassionate, high achieving and dedicated nurses in the New Zealand nursing workforce. So many of whom work diligently, way beyond the call of duty, to provide assistance to everyone in need.
Happy International Nurses Day!
#IND2017 #VoiceToLead #SDGs
What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
This year, the theme for International Nurses Day is Nurses: A Voice to Lead, Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As a part of helping to raise awareness we wanted to highlight what these goals are.
GOAL 1: NO POVERTY
Poverty disempowers individuals, families and communities. It manifests itself in hunger and malnutrition, limited access to health and education services, social discrimination and exclusion as well as the lack of participation in decision making. There are profound impacts on health and wellbeing.
GOAL 2: ZERO HUNGER, IMPROVED NUTRITION
There are few challenges facing the world today that can compare with the scale of malnutrition. It affects one in three people and has been estimated to be the underlying cause of 45% of child deaths.
GOAL 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING
“Universal health coverage is one of the most powerful social equalizers among all policy options. It is the ultimate expression of fairness. If public health has something that can help our troubled, out-of-balance world, it is this: growing evidence that well-functioning and inclusive health systems contribute to social cohesion, equity, and stability. They hold societies together and help reduce social tensions.”
– Dr Margaret Chan
GOAL 4: QUALITY EDUCATION
Education is pivotal in improving peoples’ lives. The level of education attainment has been recognised as an important social determinant of health. It influences our decision making, our choices and it enables social and personal resources that are vital for physical and mental health. In fact, the level of education attainment is a strong predictor of long-term health and quality of life.
GOAL 5: GENDER EQUALITY
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 holds ‘Gender equality’ as a fundamental human right. Despite this, women and girls are not treated as equals. This inequality persists everywhere in varying degrees and stops sustainable social progress.
GOAL 6: CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
At the very heart of sustainable development is access to clean water and sanitation. 2.4 billion people around the world currently do not have access to this valuable resource. Tragically even health facilities around the world do not have access to clean water and sanitation.
GOAL 7: AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Today, 42% of the world’s population does not have access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking. This leads to indoor air-pollution and this is ranked in the top ten risks to health. “…The annual death toll from indoor air pollution will still be over 1.5 Million people – a higher rate than that from both malaria and tuberculosis…”
– UNITED NATIONS
GOAL 8: DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
A High-level Commission on ‘Health Employment and Economic Growth’ stated that investments in the health workforce improves a countries’ economic position. Investment will be crucial in the health workforce as it has been estimated that by 2030, without it, there will be a shortage of 40 million health workers. The health workforce is vitally important to the health of a country.
GOAL 9: INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
For countries to achieve Universal Health Coverage and address the challenging demands of health and healthcare provision, there must be change and innovation to the health industry. As first hand witnesses to the needs of patients and the challenges of the health system, nurses are well positioned to provide innovative solutions. From new models of care, to new technologies, nurses are leading this change.
GOAL 10: REDUCED INEQUALITIES
There are many different types of inequalities. However, the outcomes for health are generally the same. Those who are socially disadvantaged have higher rates of suicide, mental health problems, heart disease, lung disease, obesity and many other conditions of ill health. In addition, those who are most disadvantaged are most likely to need healthcare but are less likely to receive it.
GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
The progressive move of populations towards urban areas means global health will be determined increasingly by cities. Cities are a mixture of culture, class and status and with rapid growth in these areas, it is predicted that the disparities within these groups will escalate. The poor are more likely to be excluded from social equity and will have less access to important public infrastructure.
GOAL 12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
According to the WHO, only 58% of healthcare waste is disposed of in the correct way. This puts communities at risk from cross contamination from infectious and pathological waste
GOAL 13: CLIMATE ACTION
As Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN said, “Climate change is not just an environmental issue… it is an all-encompassing threat.” In 2012, it was estimated that 12.6 million deaths were attributed to the environment. As conditions continue to change, it is expected that this number will dramatically increase.
GOAL 14: LIFE BELOW WATER
Oceans, lakes and other marine resources have an essential role in human wellbeing. 37% of the world’s population lives in coastal communities. It is a rich source of food and income that are being affected by environmental degradation, overfishing, climate change and pollution. As the Food and Agriculture Organization stated, “The health of our planet as well as our own health and future food security all hinge on how we treat the blue world.”
GOAL 15: LIFE ON THE LAND
According to the United Nations, between 1990 and 2015, the world’s forest area diminished from 31.7% of the world’s total land mass to 30.7%. This has a significant effect on the stability of our ecosystems, which has profound effects on our health and wellbeing.
GOAL 16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Conflict, violence and injustices are destructive oppressors of health and wellbeing. Nursings’ voice is strong in providing solutions to aid individuals, communities and nations. Peace and justice can transform societies and enable its citizens to flourish.
GOAL 17: PARTNERSHIP FOR THE GOALS
Across the globe, there is a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases. Their root causes reside mainly in non-health sectors and often escape the direct influence of health policies. For the health sector to make significant inroads into reducing non-communicable diseases, it must partner with industry and other government departments.
All information sourced from www.icnvoicetolead.com/sdgs
