The United Nations is formulating its Post-2015 Development Agenda—an update to the organization’s Millennium Development Goals that since 2000, have guided global action on poverty reduction, health, environment, gender equality and education.  To help inform the new Agenda, the UN has requested input from institutions, governments, and individuals who are part of the effort to promote development around the world.

In a recent submission to the U.S. representative on the panel drafting the proposed Agenda, Mike Bloomberg provided his perspective on what it will take to achieve meaningful change. 

As Mayor of New York City, Mike Bloomberg’s policies have helped add three years to the life of the average New Yorker. The City’s approach is presented in a publication the Mayor brings to the panel’s attention in his brief, which also focuses on three main principles:  

1. Use data and metrics in setting goals, assessing progress, and ensuring accountability; 
2. Make the healthy choice the default by creating policies that encourage individuals to make the choices that will improve their lives; and
3. Leverage public-private partnerships for social good.  

By following these three guidelines, the United Nations, its partner organizations and the governments with which they work can make lasting progress towards solving some of the most stubborn development challenges—particularly the growing burden of non-communicable diseases around the world. Population-wide approaches are necessary complements to Universal Health Coverage, the goal of many in the global health movement. Indeed, population-wide approaches like the ones outlined in the Mayor’s submission are among the most effective and equitable ways to address key health risk factors and save lives.

The full submission can be accessed here.