Assessment of SDG 3 Research Priorities and Covid-19 Recovery Pathways

A Case Study from University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID15469385
AuthorsJose Frantz (0000-0002-8296-5601, University of the Western Cape, corresponding author), Pearl Erasmus (0009-0009-7067-5904, University of the Western Cape), Lumka Magidigidi-Mathiso (0000-0001-9389-3626, University of the Western Cape)
Year2025
Volume22
Issue7
Pages1057-1057
Publication date2025-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph22071057
PMID40724124
OpenAlexW4411890884
LanguageEN
References cited21

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3, particularly in developing countries, exacerbating existing health disparities and creating new challenges for health systems worldwide. This study explores the role of university research in advancing SDG 3 targets in a post-pandemic context using the University of the Western Cape as a case study. Through qualitative data analysis of research titles and abstracts registered between 2020 and 2022, we applied the WHERETO model of McTighe and Bloom's Taxonomy to categorize research according to the SDG 3 targets and indicators. This approach provides insight into which health priorities were addressed through scholarly research at UWC in alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda, particularly during pandemic recovery. Our findings indicate that research priorities largely corresponded with South Africa's health challenges, with the highest concentration of studies addressing non-communicable diseases and mental health (Target 3.4), infectious diseases (Target 3.3), and medicine development (Target 3.b). These priorities align with the National Health Research Committee's identified health priorities for disadvantaged communities in the Western Cape. Notably, research on mental health and emergency preparedness (Target 3.d) increased significantly during the pandemic period, reflecting shifting priorities in response to COVID-19. This study offers critical insights into how university research shifted priorities adapted during the pandemic and identifies areas requiring focused attention to support post-pandemic recovery. By highlighting research gaps and opportunities, our findings provide a foundation for developing more comprehensive approaches to health research that address the disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 while advancing the 2030 agenda. This model could inform research prioritization at other institutions facing similar challenges in both local and global contexts

Context (archaeology · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disadvantaged · Disease · Economic growth · Geography · Global health · Health care · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Mental health · Pandemic · Political science · Preparedness · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine

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