Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) aims to "ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages" by 2030, focusing on reducing maternal/child mortality, ending epidemics (AIDS, malaria, TB), achieving universal health coverage, and addressing non-communicable diseases. COVID-19 significantly reversed progress, emphasizing the need for stronger health systems. 
Key Aspects of SDG 3
  • Targets & Indicators: Comprises 13 targets and 28 indicators measuring progress in maternal, child, and environmental health, as well as disease control.
  • Universal Health Coverage (UHC): The core aim is ensuring access to quality health services without financial hardship, including affordable medicines and vaccines.
  • Key Focus Areas:
    • Maternal & Child Health: Reducing global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality to at least 12 per 1,000 live births.
    • Communicable Diseases: Ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases.
    • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Reducing premature mortality from NCDs through prevention, treatment, and promotion of mental health.
    • Environmental Health: Reducing deaths from hazardous chemicals, pollution, and air contamination.
  • Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health services, causing declines in vaccination rates and rising tuberculosis/malaria cases. Furthermore, a shortage of 14.7 million health workers was recorded in 2023.
  • Interlinkages: SDG 3 is deeply connected to other goals, including Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). 
Current Progress & Future Outlook
While significant strides were made before 2020, substantial efforts are required to get back on track by 2030, particularly in strengthening primary care and addressing deep-seated inequalities in health access.