In a global context, better health coverage, better access to family planning and a decrease in infant mortality are the basic axes in improving health. These strategic axes are also essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations. This is demonstrated by the results of the study on the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), published today September 22 by the prestigious medical journal The Lancet.

The study analyzes the progress of each country in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, through the creation of a new index (SDG) from 0 to 100. Based on the result obtained, a ranking of nations has been established in which it shows which ones are closer to achieving the defined objectives. “In 2015, in Spain we have managed to reach the 7th position of 188 countries evaluated, rising from the 15th position obtained in 2000. “These results represent very good news for Spain since they place us in a privileged position at an international level”, explains the doctor. Joan B. Soriano, Scientific Consultant of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) and co-author of the study. “The Sustainable Development Goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) are based on the Millennium Goals established in 2000. These were basically health variables, especially maternal and child health; In addition, other aspects related to education, individual risk factors, the country's per capita income and other more environmental aspects such as the protection of oceans and forests, the fight against Climate Change, and biodiversity are now added. In total there are 17 indicators that make up the new concept of Planetary Health”, he adds.

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