The 17 sustainable development goals currently being negotiated by U.N. member states represent a global commitment to ending extreme poverty and increasing equity. These goals expand and continue the work of the Millennium Development Goals, which will be expiring at the end of 2015.

The expanded goals should be actionable, universal and adaptable, and clear and straightforward. Unfortunately, children are in danger of being left out. It is critical that children be included in the health targets.

The targets and indicators of the health SDG must be inclusive of the child and adolescent populations and allow for country-level policy, planning and accountability.

Read full blog post "Include children in the SDGs for noncommunicable diseases", by American Academy of Pediatrics President-Elect Dr Benard Dreyer, at Devex.