The Sustainable Development Goals and Aging: Implications for Social Work

Abstract

The SDGs developed by the United Nations in 2015 provide targets that the world must meet by 2030 in order to ensure well-being and prosperity for all with each person living with dignity and security in society. The underlying pledge is that no one is left behind. By committing to erasing inequalities, these SDGs are closely linked to human rights. Around the globe, older people are among the most vulnerable to marginalization, poor health, poverty, and income insecurity. This paper discusses the five of the goals pertinent to the inclusion and well-being of older people and the roles that social workers, using a rights-based approach to practice, can use at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels to assure that the SDGs are met and that policies and services promote the well-being and inclusion of older people in society.