The chapters in this book raise critical questions in the thematic areas, and it is clear that they are all deeply intertwined. Taken together, they illustrate that good health and well-being are not goals that can be achieved in a vacuum or in a specific sector, but are instead foundational to sustainable development. Health access and quality, disease prevention and response, mental health and well-being, and healthy ageing are not mutually exclusive goals, but instead influence and shape each other in complex ways.
The chapters in this book illustrate that access to care without attention to quality will only serve to perpetuate inequality, as well as investments in high-level services without attention to prevention. The recognition of mental health as a part of overall health also challenges a very narrow focus on illness, and instead advocates for a more holistic approach. The emphasis on healthy ageing continues to illustrate this perspective, and it is important to remember that development should not only be measured by the length of life, but also by its vitality.
This book is part of the Interdisciplinary Book Publication Drive 2026, an initiative of the Office of Research & Development, Madras Christian College, reaffirming our dedication to academic scholarship and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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Dr S Rachel, Dr S Sudharsan, Mr J Johannes Samuel
Dr. S. Rachel currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work (Aided). Specializing in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, her areas of interest include health, children, and research.
Dr. Rachel brings a wealth of academic experience from esteemed institutions such as Madras School of Social Work and SRM Institute of Science and Technology. In addition to her academic contributions, she has extensive field experience, having worked as a Psychiatric Social Worker at The Banyan, an organization serving homeless mentally ill women, and as a Medical Social Worker at Dr. K.M. Cherian Heart Foundation, Chennai. As a recipient of the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship, Dr. Rachel has demonstrated her passion for research and teaching. She has organised seminars and conferences obtaining funds from Central and State Governments. She has conducted numerous training sessions focused on gender empowerment, stress management, leaderships and Research methodology for students and faculty members, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and academic excellence. Dr. Rachel has also contributed to academic editorial work. Dr. Rachel has an extensive publication record in indexed journals and conference proceedings, contributing significantly to social work research. Dr. Rachel continues to contribute actively to academia, research, and community development, striving to create sustainable solutions for social challenges through her work in medical and psychiatric social work.
