Promoting health in the SDGs: report on the 9th Global conference for health promotion, Shanghai, China, 21–24 November 2016: all for health, health for all

Overview

The 9th Global Conference on Health promotion was held in Shanghai, China from 21-24 November 2016. It was an extraordinary milestone because it positioned health promotion within the 2030 agenda. The Shanghai Declaration recognizes health and well-being as essential to achieving sustainable development. It reaffirms health as a universal right, an essential resource for everyday living, a shared social goal, and a political priority for all countries.

The message from the over 1260 high-level political stakeholders gathered in Shanghai was clear: health is a political issue and, therefore, political choices and commitments are crucial. Bold political action across sectors is needed in order to realize the transformative potential of promoting health in the SDGs.

Good health is good politics. The conference calls on the global community - leaders, policy-makers, communities - to #ChooseHealth and leave no one behind.