Diversity and inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are essential tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global objectives designed to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges. These concepts are not only integral to specific SDGs but also permeate the entire framework, emphasizing the need for equitable and inclusive approaches in all aspects of development.

SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) are directly connected to the principles of diversity and inclusion. SDG 10 aims to reduce inequality within and among countries. This involves taking measures to ensure the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. It calls for the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, providing equal opportunities and reducing disparities, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized groups.

SDG 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. This goal underscores the need for ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere, and it involves various targets including the elimination of violence, ensuring women's full participation in leadership and decision-making, and guaranteeing equal rights to economic resources. By promoting gender equality, SDG 5 directly contributes to the broader objective of creating inclusive societies.

Furthermore, diversity and inclusion are crucial in achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. This involves addressing disparities in access to education and ensuring that vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and children in vulnerable situations, receive equal opportunities for education. Inclusive education is a foundation for building more inclusive societies, as it prepares all individuals to participate fully in their communities and economies.

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) also embodies the values of diversity and inclusion. It promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. This includes advocating for equal pay for work of equal value, promoting safe and inclusive working environments, and reducing the gender pay gap. By ensuring that all individuals have access to decent work opportunities and are treated fairly in the workplace, SDG 8 plays a pivotal role in advancing inclusive economic growth.

The pursuit of diversity and inclusion is indispensable for realizing the vision of the SDGs. These principles are not confined to specific goals but are woven throughout the entire framework, reflecting the understanding that a fair, sustainable, and prosperous world can only be achieved when all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from development. The SDGs recognize that addressing inequalities, empowering marginalized groups, and ensuring inclusive participation are essential for sustainable development, and they call on all stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals, to work towards these objectives.

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by addressing innovative treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may offer hope for patients with aggressive forms of the disease and improve their chances of long-term remission. By discussing the efficacy, safety, and unique considerations of HSCT, the chapter emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment approaches in enhancing health outcomes for individuals with MS. Furthermore, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing insights into advanced therapies and recommendations for patient selection, which can help ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, have access to cutting-edge treatments that can significantly impact their quality of life and manage their condition effectively.
Elsevier,

Intelligent Computing Techniques in Biomedical Imaging: Methods, Case Studies, and Applications, 2025, pp 177-183

This chapter examines neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), emphasizing their early onset, complex causes, and the critical role of early diagnosis and intervention. It aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting timely, comprehensive care to improve health outcomes and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by advocating equitable access to diagnostic and supportive services for affected individuals throughout their lifespan.

Elsevier,

Journal of Climate Change and Health, Volume 18, 1 July 2024

Indigenous Peoples face disproportionate risks from climate change while being key to planetary health and climate resilience due to their traditional ecological knowledge. This manuscript provides Indigenous perspectives on climate justice, exploring the intersection of health, sovereignty, and ancestral practices, and discusses opportunities for decolonizing relationships to place, highlighting a case of rematriation and healing at Bdóte, the place of genesis for Dakota Peoples, also known as Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MN.

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health as well as Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing research on disabilities to help prepare for future public health disasters. It also promotes inclusive leadership and implementation that considers the needs of people with disabilities.

This paper proposes a framework based on Universal Design principles to improve accessibility and equity in science and engineering interviews for people with disabilities and underrepresented groups, emphasizing systemic cultural change.
Elsevier,

Additive Manufacturing Materials and Technology: Additive Manufacturing Materials and Technologies, 2024, Pages 341-357

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by demonstrating how advancements in 3D printing (3DP) technology enhance medical service delivery by creating customized prosthetics, implants, and equipment that can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals, particularly para-athletes and those with limb loss. By emphasizing the benefits of personalized medical devices and the potential for improved activities of daily living, the chapter highlights the importance of innovative solutions in healthcare. Additionally, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by advocating for accessible and customized technologies that empower para-athletes and individuals with disabilities, promoting equity in sports and medical care and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to participate fully in both athletic and everyday activities.

This article evaluates whether prescribing rates for acute respiratory tract infections when antibiotics would be inappropriate by guidelines differed by race and socioeconomics.

This content aligns with Goals 15, 16, and 10 by discussing how UGGps actively involve local and indigenous peoples, preserving and celebrating their culture; emphasizing the bottom-up approach of UGGps, which involves active participation of local and indigenous communities; and showing how preservation of indigenous cultures, traditional knowledge, and practices within UGGps promotes cultural diversity and inclusion.

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by advocating for a deeper understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Down syndrome, through a process-based approach that recognizes the dynamic and interdependent nature of development. By shifting the focus from static classifications to understanding the interactions and processes that contribute to neurodiversity, the paper promotes better health outcomes through more effective interventions and support strategies for individuals with these conditions. Additionally, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by addressing the limitations of traditional research methods, which can marginalize the experiences of neurodiverse individuals, and by advocating for inclusive research practices that consider diverse perspectives and promote equity in the understanding and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions.
Elsevier,

Resilient Health: Leveraging Technology and Social Innovations to Transform Healthcare for COVID-19 Recovery and Beyond, 2024, Pages 713-727

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by emphasizing the importance of overcoming barriers to ensure equitable access to health and well-being for individuals with various impairments, thus promoting inclusive participation in society. It also supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by advocating for the development and implementation of digital and assistive technologies that empower people with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities and resources. The call for disability-inclusive policies during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic further underscores the commitment to achieving social inclusion and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind.

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