# Health-related SDGs in the national science agendas of Latin America and the Caribbean: a scoping review

## TL;DR

This study reviews how Latin American and Caribbean countries include health goals in their science agendas, focusing on disease research and pandemic preparedness.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of health-related SDG-3 targets in LAC national science agendas, identifying gaps in public health and disaster management.

## Key findings

- Health-related SDG-3 targets in LAC NSTAs focus on communicable diseases and drug/vaccine development.
- Innovation areas include diagnostic technologies, health products, and artificial intelligence.
- Only a minority of agendas address risk management for health emergencies and disasters.

## Abstract

The national science and technology agendas (NSTAs) of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are crucial for formulating and implementing public policies by providing a strategic framework that guides state actions and priorities. The objective of this scoping review is to examine health-related targets from the national science and technology agendas (NSTA) of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), in accordance with the United Nations’ third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-3), as well as within the frameworks of innovation and risk management and emergencies.

A scoping review was conducted, including policy documents issued between 2013 and 2023 by governmental science and technology authorities. The search strategy included government and international organization websites. A total of 108 documents were identified.

Sixteen NSTAs were selected. Health-related targets aligned with SDG-3 were highlighted, particularly in areas such as communicable diseases and drug and vaccine development, but there was limited representation in public health and health systems. Innovations in health science and technology included diagnostic technologies, health products and artificial intelligence. Risk management for health emergencies and disasters was present in a minority of the agendas, with a focus on natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This analysis provides a comprehensive view of the representation of health in NSTAs in LACs, highlighting common objectives among countries to foster collaboration, optimize research and innovation, and identify gaps in components necessary to enhance population health, such as disaster management, public health, and health systems.

This scoping review was not registered.