At Elucid, the work we do is rooted in working toward the SDGs. These goals were initially aimed to be completed by 2030, but progress is slow.

Many of the SDGs are founded on things that the global community considers to be ‘universal truths’, such as the need for universal healthcare and improved healthcare access, the fact that climate change is a pressing issue that must be prioritized, and the fact that gender equality is far from being achieved. 

These truths have, for many, become foundational to our shared global aspirations. Yet, in times of geopolitical upheaval and shifting global and political priorities, these principles risk losing their place on the global agenda. How can we ensure that the progress achieved so far is not undone – and that current progress does not stagnate?

The Challenges to Universal Truths

Despite wide global recognition for the need to work toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, global action lags behind. According to the 2024 Sustainable Development Report, only 16% of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are on track for 2030. None of the 17 overarching SDGs are progressing as planned, and 84% of targets are either stagnant or regressing.

This worrisome pattern includes SDG3: Good Health, which aims to ensure “healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.  SDG3 includes targets which we consider to be ‘universal truths’, including the need for Universal Health Coverage for all, and the need for improved vaccination rates against communicable diseases. Universal Health Coverage is defined by the WHO as follows: “Universal health coverage (UHC) means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care.” 

The truths contained within SDG3, set down alongside the need to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates, achieve universal access to reproductive care, reduce illness and death due to pollution, and advance research into affordable vaccines and medicines, all set down the core truth at the centre of our work: health is a human right. 

However, progress toward SDG3 is far from on track. While the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) service coverage index improved from 45 in 2000 to 68 in 2021, progress has since stalled. Since 2019, no meaningful advancements have been made. Impoverishing out-of-pocket health spending affects 2 billion people as of 2019, with 13.5% of the global population facing catastrophic health expenditures – pushing them into extreme poverty. While childhood vaccination rates have improved since 2015, they are unstable, often falling and rising again. In 2022, 20.5 million children missed out on at least one routine vaccination – and 14.3 million children did not receive any vaccination at all. While the truth of health being a human right may be acknowledged by many, global efforts seemingly lie elsewhere – and priorities are constantly shifting.

Why Progress Slows – and What It Means

Global political landscapes are increasingly complex. In 2024, more people voted in elections worldwide than ever before, reshaping priorities and redistributing resources. Governments and global institutions are often caught between immediate crises and long-term goals such as the SDGs, leading to fragmented attention and limited resources. This fragmentation of attention, while seemingly unavoidable, means that vital progress toward global goals, including improved health for all, is slowed – or even reversed.

It seems that even when universal truths, such as exemplified by the SDGs, are acknowledged as important by the global community, implementation often falls short. The question we face is clear:

How do we ensure these priorities remain at the forefront when the world’s attention is pulled in so many directions?

The Path Forward

The challenges are clear, and addressing them requires consistent, collective efforts. Progress rarely comes from sweeping changes alone – it’s built step by step, through the actions of individuals, organizations, and communities working towards shared goals.

At Elucid, our contribution lies in practical, measurable actions:

• Supporting health programs that improve access to essential services.
• Building partnerships that foster responsible and transparent practices.
• Engaging in advocacy efforts—whether through conversations, conferences, or knowledge-sharing – that keep these issues visible and prioritized.

These actions may seem small on their own, but cumulative efforts create momentum. By focusing on what we can do today, we aim to contribute to a future where the Sustainable Development Goals (and whatever comes after them), and everything they stand for, remain at the core of global priorities.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when we each play our part – through advocacy, meaningful collaboration, and a commitment to shared values.