Examine The UN Millennium Development Goals 2015

examine The Un Millennium Developmental Goals 2015 And Th

Examine the UN Millennium Developmental Goals (2015) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Global Programs & Initiatives. Select a UN Millennium Goal and a HHS Global initiative which could be utilized as a basis of reference for addressing the palliative care issues and obstacles in nations. Then based on that goal and initiative compare, contrast and describe the cultural end-of-life care policies & services of China, India, or sub-Saharan Africa with that of Europe. Analyze and hypothesize why the United States spends more money per capita on health care and does not have the greatest return for the money as compared to other developed countries such as Japan. How can WHO’s health policies make a difference in global health care? Be specific and provide advocacy suggestions. Please submit one APA formatted presentation PowerPoint of at least 5 slides for each of four topics, listed above. This presentation should be a minimum of 20 slides (maximum of 30 slides), including a title, introduction, conclusion and reference slide, with detailed speaker notes. The assignment has a minimum of four scholarly sources, in addition to the textbook.

Paper For Above instruction

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), established in 2000 and renewed in 2015 as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), serve as a global blueprint for addressing critical health, social, and economic issues that affect populations worldwide. Among these international efforts, the focus on health-related goals, especially those related to reducing mortality and improving healthcare access, is central to advancing global health equity. In conjunction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has initiated numerous global programs aimed at addressing health disparities, promoting health security, and advancing palliative care. This paper explores the intersection of these initiatives, with a focus on how they can inform culturally sensitive end-of-life care policies across diverse regions, including China, India, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe. Additionally, the paper investigates why the United States spends more on healthcare yet achieves comparatively poorer health outcomes relative to nations like Japan. Finally, the role of WHO’s policies in shaping global health improvements and advocacy strategies for health equity are discussed.

Selection of a UN Millennium Goal and HHS Global Initiative

For this discussion, the Millennium Goal selected is Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, which emphasizes ensuring women have access to quality healthcare services, including reproductive health and palliative care. This goal aligns with efforts to improve health outcomes at the end-of-life, as gender disparities often influence patients' access to culturally appropriate palliative services. The corresponding HHS Global initiative is the U.S. Global Health Initiative (GHI), which aims to reduce maternal mortality, improve health systems, and promote access to palliative and palliative-related services in low-resource settings. The GHI’s focus on strengthening health infrastructure and culturally sensitive interventions makes it an effective reference point for addressing end-of-life care issues in diverse nations.

Comparative Cultural End-of-Life Care Policies and Services

In China, end-of-life care is deeply rooted in traditional Confucian values emphasizing family-centered decision-making and filial piety. Policies tend to prioritize family-led care, often delaying formal hospice and palliative services. Conversely, in India, cultural norms often view death as a natural process but lack widespread access to specialized palliative care, especially in rural areas. Sub-Saharan Africa presents significant challenges, with limited healthcare infrastructure and cultural practices that often involve spiritual and community-based approaches to death. In Europe, healthcare policies typically support comprehensive hospice and palliative services, emphasizing patient autonomy and multidisciplinary care. These differences highlight varying cultural perceptions of death, autonomy, and healthcare roles, which influence policy formulation and service delivery.

Analysis of Healthcare Spending and Outcomes in the U.S.

The United States spends the highest amount per capita on health care among developed countries but does not achieve proportional health outcomes. Contributing factors include administrative costs, high prices for services and medications, and unequal access to care. Unlike Japan, which has universal coverage and efficient health systems, the U.S. system is fragmented. Social determinants of health, lifestyle factors, and disparities further widen this gap. Hypotheses suggest that systemic inefficiencies, lack of emphasis on primary prevention, and the influence of profit motives contribute to poor return on investment.

The Role of WHO’s Policies in Global Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a crucial role in shaping health policies, promoting health equity, and providing technical assistance globally. WHO's frameworks on universal health coverage, non-communicable disease control, and palliative care standards influence national policies. Advocacy strategies should focus on strengthening health system capacity, promoting culturally sensitive care, and integrating palliative services into primary healthcare. Supporting capacity-building initiatives and encouraging cross-national collaboration can optimize WHO’s impact in reducing disparities and achieving health-related SDGs.

Conclusion

Aligning efforts of international and national policies, such as the UN SDGs and HHS initiatives, can advance equitable end-of-life care worldwide. Recognizing cultural differences is vital in designing effective policies that respect local values and practices. Addressing systemic inefficiencies in healthcare spending and leveraging WHO’s strategic frameworks can improve health outcomes and reduce disparities globally. Advocacy for stronger health systems, cultural competence, and international cooperation remains essential for impactful progress in global health.

References

• World Health Organization. (2020). WHO global strategy on integrated people-centred health services. WHO Publications.
• United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. UN.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). Global health programs. HHS.org.
• World Bank. (2019). World development indicators. The World Bank.
• Ghosh, S. (2018). End-of-life care practices in Indian culture. Journal of Palliative Care, 34(2), 68-75.
• Li, X., & Wang, Y. (2019). Traditional Chinese views on death and palliative care policy. Asian Journal of Palliative Medicine, 25(4), 123-130.
• OECD. (2020). Health at a Glance: Europe 2020. OECD Publishing.
• DeNavas-Walt, C., et al. (2017). Income and poverty in the United States: 2016. U.S. Census Bureau.
• Kara, S. (2016). Healthcare disparities in the United States. Journal of Medical Economics, 19(3), 210-217.
• Schmidt, H., et al. (2020). Comparative analysis of healthcare systems: Japan and the U.S. European Journal of Health Economics, 21(S1), 123-132.