Why MDG's Matter in Advancing Global Health

In September 2000, as a follow up to the various United Nations conferences and summits, world leaders met at United Nations Headquarters in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and to form a new global partnership between nations to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - which are known as Millennium Development Goals. One of the key factors in advancing global health is to implement the MDGs and also to reduce the glaring gaps and inequities which currently exist between the various regions of the world. . The MDGs are useful for the practitioners of public health and policy makers and other stake holders to review the MDGs as a starting point, and reviews the advantages and limitations of the existing strategies and health systems in place to address the public health challenges faced globally. This presentation using evidence from multiple sources will address the following key issues. 1. The strategies and policies which have been based on the MDGs and have directly or directly improved the health status of populations. 2. Role of UN agencies, civil society, government (local and national levels) private and public sector partnerships in working to achieve the MDGs and to advance global health . A brief discussion about the current review MDGs will be highlighted.