In an era where sustainable development goals (SDGs) have become a central focus for global policy and scientific inquiry, the intersection of health-related objectives within national science agendas offers a revealing lens into regional priorities and commitments. A recent scoping review published in International Journal for Equity in Health uncovers how Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are aligning their scientific research efforts with health-related SDGs, shedding light on existing gaps, challenges, and opportunities within these diverse nations. This analysis not only provides critical insights into how health goals are prioritized but also serves as a potential roadmap for enhancing scientific strategies aimed at reducing health inequities in the region.
The research, conducted by Ragusa, Tortosa, Monteiro, and their colleagues, meticulously examined the degree to which health-related SDGs are integrated within the national science agendas of LAC countries. By mapping scientific outputs and policy documents, they reveal the intricate ways in which scientific research is both shaped by and contributes to these global health frameworks. Their findings indicate variability in commitment levels among countries, underscoring the complexity of translating global targets into localized action and scientific inquiry.
One of the compelling revelations from this review is the uneven focus on certain health-related SDGs across the region. While some countries demonstrate robust engagement with goals such as universal health coverage and reducing mortality from communicable diseases, others lag behind, with limited scientific output in critical areas like mental health, non-communicable diseases, and the social determinants of health. This discrepancy reflects broader socio-economic and political heterogeneity, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches that consider unique national contexts.
The methodological approach of this scoping review stands out for its comprehensive analysis of policy documents, scientific literature databases, and research funding trends. This multi-dimensional approach enables the authors to draw connections between stated national priorities, actual research activities, and international health commitments. Importantly, their methodology highlights the dynamic nature of science-policy interfaces, as countries negotiate their national agendas in response to evolving domestic needs and global pressures.
A key technical feature of this study is its incorporation of bibliometric indicators to quantify and profile the scientific production related to health SDGs. By analyzing publication volumes, citation patterns, and collaborative networks, the researchers provide an empirical foundation for understanding how knowledge production is influenced by policy landscapes. Such data-driven insights are indispensable for identifying priority areas and gaps, as well as for fostering more strategic resource allocation in future research planning.
The authors also explore the role of international collaborations and knowledge exchange networks in amplifying the region’s scientific capacity related to health. Latin America and the Caribbean, characterized by rich biodiversity and complex health challenges, stand to benefit immensely from cross-border collaborations that leverage diverse expertise and infrastructures. The study elucidates how such partnerships have been instrumental in advancing research aligned with SDGs but also notes persistent barriers such as funding constraints, political instability, and infrastructural limitations.
In parallel with these findings, the review highlights the critical importance of integrating equity considerations into health research agendas. The health-related SDGs explicitly emphasize reducing inequalities — a challenge acutely relevant to LAC, given the region’s marked socio-economic disparities and marginalized populations. The authors argue that national science agendas must not only prioritize disease burden but also address social determinants and health inequities to achieve meaningful progress.
Furthermore, the study unpacks how the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped health priorities and scientific efforts within the region. The pandemic’s profound disruptions have intensified existing health challenges and exacerbated inequalities, prompting many countries to realign research agendas. Although the review captures only early pandemic dynamics, it suggests that crisis-driven realignments may both positively and negatively influence long-term health SDG integration in science policy.
A salient observation made by Ragusa and colleagues pertains to the translation of scientific findings into actionable policies. While scientific outputs have increased, there remains a gap in effectively bridging research with policy-making, particularly in health sectors. Enhancing the science-policy nexus is crucial for ensuring that research informs interventions that can tangibly improve health outcomes and advance SDG targets.
The paper also critiques the existing funding architectures and incentives that shape scientific priorities. In LAC, national research investments are often limited and fragmented, leading to patchy attention to different SDGs. International donor influence plays a double-edged role, providing critical resources but sometimes skewing priorities away from national needs. The review calls for more coherent, strategic funding mechanisms that foster SDG-driven research aligned with regional health challenges.
From an infrastructure perspective, disparities in research capacities across LAC countries further complicate efforts toward SDG-aligned science agendas. Countries with more developed scientific ecosystems produce a disproportionate share of research outputs, potentially marginalizing less resourced nations. The study advocates for regional initiatives aimed at capacity building, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing to democratize health research expertise and outputs.
Another technical aspect the authors address is the use of indicators and benchmarks to monitor progress on health-related SDGs within scientific outputs. They emphasize the importance of developing standardized metrics that can guide national science agencies and policymakers in evaluating the efficacy of research funding and policy decisions relative to SDG milestones.
The review also underscores the intersectionality of health SDGs with other development goals, such as education, environment, and gender equality, necessitating integrated research approaches. For example, addressing non-communicable diseases requires understanding environmental pollution and social behaviors, while improving maternal health is intertwined with female education and economic empowerment. National agendas that adopt siloed perspectives risk missing these complex interdependencies.
In synthesizing their findings, the authors propose pathways for enhancing the alignment of science agendas with health-related SDGs. These include strategic visioning exercises that incorporate diverse stakeholders, mechanisms to facilitate evidence-informed policy making, and fostering environments conducive to interdisciplinary research. Strengthening governance structures within science systems is also highlighted as pivotal to sustained progress.
The implications of this research extend beyond Latin America and the Caribbean, offering valuable lessons for other regions striving to operationalize the health SDGs through science. The scoping review exemplifies how systematic assessments of national science agendas can illuminate strengths and gaps, catalyzing more informed and equitable health research ecosystems globally.
Ultimately, this landmark study by Ragusa and colleagues serves as a wake-up call and a beacon of hope. By meticulously cataloging the current landscape of health-related scientific endeavors vis-à-vis the SDGs in LAC, it charts a course toward more responsive, inclusive, and impactful science systems capable of transforming health outcomes. As the region navigates the complexities of development and health equity in the 21st century, such evidence-based approaches will be indispensable in harnessing science’s full potential for societal good.
Subject of Research:
Health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within national science agendas of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Article Title:
Health-related SDGs in the national science agendas of Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review.
Article References:
Ragusa, M.A., Tortosa, F., Monteiro, M. et al. Health-related SDGs in the national science agendas of Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review. Int J Equity Health 24, 177 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02350-w
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