Conclusions of part 2 and recommendations based on the SDG Synergies Tool assessment

The Nordic countries are poised to be at the forefront of innovations in the transformation of the healthcare sector due to the high level of digital maturity in these countries. However, as this chapter shows, to build and support digitally enabled, data-driven, integrated and sustainable health systems, emphasis needs to be placed on understanding the environmental, social and economic implications of digitalised healthcare and care solutions on society. The implications in terms of a reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as the productive time saved, have been well recorded. However, this narrow perspective is not sufficient to enable the sustainable transformation of the sector. 

As this chapter shows, a broader perspective is needed to ascertain the implications of digital healthcare solutions on other environmental and socio-economic factors, and how these solutions contribute to a green transition that is inclusive and sustainable. This includes a sustainable livelihood and access to health care services for vulnerable and disadvantaged communi­ties. The insights from the multi-stakeholder workshops in the various model regions reveal that there is a good under­standing among the stakeholders about what sustaina­bility entails in the contexts of the model regions. Apart from a reduction in the impacts of climate change, the stakeholders highlighted issues related to safe work conditions, cost effectiveness, stakeholder engagement and inclusion and equality. The SDG Synergies exercise identified both trade-offs and synergies with respect to issues such as economic develop­ment, biodiversity and resource rights, consumption and production, and gender equality. 

From a conceptual perspective, the SDG Synergies exercise shows how trade-offs and synergies between the goals can be identified to inform planning and design. The results of the exercise reveal that to achieve systemic impact, decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), gender equality (SDG 5) and reducing inequality (SDG 10) can be considered catalytic since promoting them would have positive effects on the system as a whole. Other goals such as good health and well-being (SDG 3), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), gender equality (SDG 5) and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) are most positively influenced by progress in other goals. Above mentioned goals may need less direct support to achieve progress, as they benefit from the progress made in other goals. Lastly, goals such as responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and life on land (SDG 15) are least positively influenced by the overall progress as they are not influenced by the progress made in other goals. Consequently, these goals require specific emphasis to enable progress. From a research point of view, the trade-offs and synergies between the SDGs in relation to digitalised healthcare solutions need to be empirically examined. This area has not been explored and warrants further research.

Our findings tie in with the 12 indicators of the Nordic Vision 2030, linking specifically with the recommendations on a digital economy and society – allowing for a competitive Nordic region in which inequity does not hold back any demographic segment or region, as well as including indicators on social trust and societal exclusion. This was highlighted in our synergies workshop, which explored the interactions between these variables. As it is open source and freely available to all organisations, the SDG Synergies tool allows for further investigation into the design of pathways towards the realisation of the Nordic Vision 2030. We recommend that the multi-stakeholder engagements on the interactions of the SDGs be taken forward with all the stakeholders identified across the Nordic regions.