The publishing company Springer Nature recently announced that The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research (JBHS&R), led by Editor-in-Chief Bruce Lubotsky Levin, DrPH, MPH, associate professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies, has made significant contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its published research.
The SDGs were adopted in 2015 by all U.N. member states as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 goals aim to address global challenges through a coordinated, long-term vision. Mental health is a key component, particularly under SDG 3, which calls for universal health coverage, improved access to mental health services, and the promotion of mental well-being.
In 2024, more than half of the articles published in JBHS&R addressed one or more of the SDGs. Since 2015, Springer Nature has published more than 940,000 SDG-related articles; in 2023 alone, over one-quarter of its publications were aligned with the goals.
Levin has served as editor-in-chief of JBHS&R for 36 years. He works alongside Assistant Editor Kim Menendez, a doctoral candidate, and editorial board member Ardis Hanson, PhD, MLS, assistant director of research and education at the ßÙßÇÂþ» Shimberg Health Sciences Libraries.
The SDGs provide a global framework for addressing interconnected issues such as behavioral and public health, emphasizing failure to prioritize mental health can hinder progress in poverty reduction, economic growth, and social inclusion.