SDG3: Good Health and Well-being

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in 2015, serves as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. At the core of this agenda lie the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), each with specific targets and indicators to measure progress. Among these, Goal 3 aims to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” This goal underscores the importance of health as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development. This article delves into the specific targets of SDG 3, exploring the progress made, the challenges faced, and the strategies necessary to achieve these ambitious objectives by 2030.

One of the critical targets under SDG 3 is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Maternal mortality remains a significant issue, especially in low-resource settings where women often lack access to skilled health care before, during, and after childbirth. Despite considerable progress over the past decades, approximately 295,000 women died from pregnancy-related causes in 2017. The challenges are multifaceted, involving socioeconomic barriers, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, and limited access to quality care. To address these challenges, it is essential to strengthen health systems, particularly in rural areas, enhance education and economic opportunities for women, and implement community-based health programs that provide maternal care and education. These measures can help ensure that every woman has access to the necessary care and support to safely navigate pregnancy and childbirth.

Another vital target is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age by 2030. This includes reducing neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. While the global under-5 mortality rate has declined significantly since 1990, millions of children still die each year from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. Malnutrition is a contributing factor in nearly half of these deaths. The challenges include disparities in access to healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, and the need for effective vaccination and nutrition programs. Expanding immunization coverage, providing nutritional support and education, and ensuring equitable access to pediatric and maternal health services are critical strategies to achieve this target.

By 2030, the goal is to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases. Significant progress has been made in reducing the incidence of these diseases, yet they remain major public health challenges, especially in low-income countries. Issues such as drug resistance, limited access to diagnostic, preventive, and treatment services, and insufficient funding continue to hamper efforts. Investing in research and development for new treatments and vaccines, providing integrated health services, and strengthening global partnerships are essential steps to combat these diseases effectively.

Reducing by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment, and promoting mental health and well-being, is another critical target. NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, are leading causes of death globally. Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol use, and the stigma associated with mental health issues present significant challenges. Public health campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles, integrating mental health services into primary healthcare, and implementing policies to reduce risk factors are key strategies to address NCDs and mental health issues.

Strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol, is vital for ensuring health and well-being. Substance abuse contributes to a range of health problems and social issues. Limited access to rehabilitation and treatment services, social stigma, and regulatory barriers are significant challenges. Community-based prevention and treatment programs, public awareness campaigns about the risks of substance abuse, and policy reforms to support harm reduction and rehabilitation are necessary to tackle this issue.

By 2020, the target was to halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. Although progress has been made, road traffic accidents remain a leading cause of death and injury worldwide, particularly among young people. Poor road conditions, weak enforcement of traffic laws, and low public awareness of road safety measures are major challenges. Enhancing road infrastructure, strengthening the enforcement of traffic laws, and promoting road safety education and awareness are critical strategies to reduce road traffic accidents.

Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning, information, and education, is essential for reducing maternal and child mortality, preventing unintended pregnancies, and combating sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Cultural barriers, inequitable access to services, and lack of comprehensive sexual education are significant challenges. Expanding access to reproductive health services, providing comprehensive sexual education, and advocating for policies that support reproductive health rights and services are necessary steps to achieve this target.

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all, is a cornerstone of SDG 3. UHC ensures that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship. Insufficient and inequitable financing of health systems, weak health infrastructure, and significant disparities in access to healthcare services are major challenges. Implementing sustainable financing mechanisms, improving the quality and availability of healthcare services, and developing policies that promote equitable access to health care are critical to achieving UHC.

By 2030, substantially reducing the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination is a crucial target. Environmental pollution poses a significant threat to global health, contributing to millions of deaths annually. Weak regulatory enforcement, harmful industrial practices, and low public awareness of the health impacts of pollution are major challenges. Strengthening environmental regulations and their enforcement, promoting sustainable industrial and agricultural practices, and increasing public awareness about pollution and its health impacts are essential strategies to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.

Strengthening the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in all countries is essential to reducing tobacco use, a major risk factor for NCDs. Tobacco use causes more than 8 million deaths annually, and the tobacco industry’s influence on policy-making remains a significant challenge. Implementing the WHO FCTC, increasing tobacco taxes, and promoting public awareness campaigns about the risks of tobacco use are critical strategies to reduce tobacco consumption and its health impacts.

Supporting research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases, particularly those affecting developing countries, is vital. Providing access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to utilize flexibilities in the agreement to protect public health, is essential. Increasing funding for health research, ensuring equitable access to medicines and vaccines, and strengthening international collaborations are necessary to support the development and distribution of essential health products.

Increasing health financing and the recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce, particularly in developing countries, is crucial for achieving SDG 3. Many countries face significant shortages of healthcare professionals, impacting the delivery of essential health services. Increasing investment in health systems, enhancing the capacity of health training institutions, and implementing policies to retain healthcare workers are essential to address this challenge.

Strengthening Health Risk Management

Strengthening the capacity of all countries, particularly developing countries, to manage national and global health risks is vital. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of robust health systems and effective risk management strategies. Improving early warning systems, enhancing emergency preparedness and response, and strengthening health systems to withstand health crises are critical strategies to manage health risks effectively.

Achieving SDG 3 is essential for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. While significant progress has been made, numerous challenges remain. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, involving strengthening health systems, enhancing education and economic opportunities, expanding access to healthcare services, promoting healthy lifestyles, and implementing effective policies and regulations. Global partnerships and international cooperation are also crucial to share resources, knowledge, and best practices. By working together, we can create a healthier, more equitable world and achieve the ambitious targets of SDG 3 by 2030.