🏥 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Goal:
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

🌐 Why SDG 3 Matters

Health is a fundamental human right. Without good health, people cannot work, learn, or thrive. SDG 3 addresses the world’s most urgent health challenges, from maternal health and infectious diseases to mental health and road safety.

• 🌍 Despite progress, millions die every year from preventable causes like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and poor maternal care.

• 👶 In 2020, 5 million children under age 5 died — many from preventable causes like pneumonia or diarrhea.

• 🤒 Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer — cause over 70% of global deaths.

• 🧠 Mental health disorders affect 1 in 8 people worldwide, yet access to treatment remains low.

• 🚑 Road traffic injuries, substance abuse, poor air quality, and health emergencies (like COVID-19) continue to strain healthcare systems.

• 🩺 Universal health coverage and access to affordable, quality healthcare can save millions of lives.

🧭 Key Targets of SDG 3

📊 Progress and Challenges

Progress:

• 💉 Immunization campaigns have saved millions from diseases like measles and polio.

• 🏥 Maternal and child mortality rates have declined significantly in many regions.

• 🚭 Increased awareness and control of tobacco and harmful substance use.

• 🧪 Growth in medical research, including vaccine development and disease diagnostics.

• 📢 Mental health awareness is rising, with more public discussions and support services emerging.

Challenges:

• ⚠️ COVID-19 disrupted health services, pushed healthcare systems to the brink, and reversed progress.

• 🌍 Health disparities between countries and communities remain stark.

• 🧬 Noncommunicable diseases and mental health issues are rising globally.

• 💰 Lack of affordable and accessible healthcare in many low-income and rural areas.

• 👩‍⚕️ Healthcare worker shortages, especially in developing countries.

• 💨 Pollution and climate change are increasingly contributing to poor health outcomes.

🧠 Who Is Involved?

• Governments: Create and fund national health systems, policies, and insurance programs.

• UN and Global Health Bodies: WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, UNAIDS, Global Fund support global health strategies and services.

• NGOs and Community Health Workers: Deliver care in remote areas, advocate for public health, and provide emergency aid.

• Hospitals and Medical Professionals: The frontline workers ensuring quality health services.

• Researchers and Pharma: Develop vaccines, treatments, and innovative healthcare technologies.

• You!: By living healthily, spreading awareness, and supporting health initiatives, individuals play a key role.

🌐 International Agreements Supporting SDG 3

• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control – A global treaty to reduce tobacco use.

• Global Vaccine Action Plan – Coordinated action to improve access to vaccines.

• Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) – A UN initiative to improve maternal, newborn, and child health.

• International Health Regulations (2005) – Guide countries in public health emergencies.

🧩 How You Can Help

• 🩷 Prioritize your health – eat well, stay active, avoid harmful substances.

• 💊 Donate to health organizations like MSF (Doctors Without Borders), UNICEF, or the Red Cross.

• 💬 Talk about mental health – reduce stigma and support those struggling.

• 🧼 Practice hygiene and encourage others to do so — especially handwashing.

• 🧠 Learn first aid – you could save a life in an emergency.

• 🧴 Reduce pollution by using eco-friendly products and traveling sustainably.

• 🗳️ Support leaders and policies that strengthen public healthcare systems.