The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been a major focus for countries around the world, and for good reason. These goals address the most critical issues affecting our planet, from poverty and inequality to environmental sustainability. One of the key areas of focus for the SDGs is health, which is central to achieving many of the other goals. There are four key targets related to health that are critical for achieving these goals.
The first of these targets is to reduce maternal mortality rates. The goal here is to ensure that all women have access to quality maternal healthcare, which will reduce the likelihood of complications that can lead to death during pregnancy or childbirth. The second target is to reduce child mortality rates, particularly for children under the age of five. This involves improving access to quality healthcare, including vaccinations, and reducing the incidence of preventable diseases like malaria and pneumonia.
The third target is to combat communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. This is a critical area of focus, as these diseases continue to ravage many parts of the world and disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. Finally, the fourth target is to reduce non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. These diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent in many parts of the world and are often linked to lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise. By addressing these challenges, we can create a healthier, more sustainable world for all.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a blueprint for a better and more sustainable future for all. The 17 goals are interconnected, and they address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. The SDGs aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for everyone. Each goal has specific targets, and health is one of the critical areas where the SDGs seek to make significant progress. In this article, we will explore four of the sustainable development goals targets related to health.
Good Health and Well-Being
- Target 1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
- Target 2: By 2030, end the preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce 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.
- Target 3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
- Target 4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The Good Health and Well-being goal is central to achieving all the other SDGs. Access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, clean water, and sanitation is fundamental to human development. The targets under this goal aim to improve maternal and child health, prevent and treat communicable and non-communicable diseases, and promote mental health and well-being. Achieving these targets will require significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, technology, and human resources, especially in low-income countries. It will also require stronger health systems that can deliver quality services to all, including the most vulnerable populations.
Importance of health in sustainable development
Health is a fundamental component of sustainable development, and without a healthy population, it is impossible to achieve sustainable development goals. For this reason, improving health outcomes is a key focus of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Each of these goals has a set of targets related to health that are essential to sustainable development. In this article, we will explore 4 of these targets in greater detail.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 3 is devoted entirely to health and well-being. Its targets cover a range of issues related to health, from maternal and child health to non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes. In addition, SDG 3 aims to address mental health and substance abuse, as well as access to essential medicines and vaccines. Achieving SDG 3 is critical for reducing poverty and promoting economic growth, as it increases productivity and encourages healthy societies.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 5 includes a number of targets related to women’s health and well-being. For example, one target is to reduce maternal mortality and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services. Another target is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual and gender-based violence. SDG 5 is essential for promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, which is critical to achieving sustainable development.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 6 targets relate to access to clean water and sanitation. Lack of access to these basic necessities can lead to the spread of water-borne diseases, which can have a devastating impact on health. Achieving SDG 6 is essential for reducing poverty and promoting economic growth, as it increases productivity and encourages healthy societies.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 11 aims to reduce the negative impact of urbanization on health, particularly in developing countries. Its targets cover a range of issues related to health, from reducing air pollution to improving access to green spaces. SDG 11 is critical for creating healthy and sustainable cities that promote economic growth and reduce poverty.
| SDG | Targets related to health |
|---|---|
| SDG 3 | Maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, access to essential medicines and vaccines |
| SDG 5 | Women’s health and well-being, sexual and reproductive health services, violence against women and girls |
| SDG 6 | Access to clean water and sanitation |
| SDG 11 | Reducing negative impact of urbanization on health, reducing air pollution, improving access to green spaces |
Overall, achieving the health targets of the SDGs is critical for creating a sustainable future. By improving health outcomes, we can reduce poverty, promote economic growth, and create a healthier world for generations to come.
Goal 3 relevant SDG targets
Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) pertains to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages. This goal has 13 targets, of which four are particularly significant when it comes to improving public health globally. These four SDG targets aim to reduce the incidence and impact of a wide range of diseases, ensure access to essential medicines and vaccines, and strengthen public health systems. The targets are briefly described below:
- Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
- Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases
- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, 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
- Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health
Target 3.2 addresses a critical issue in global health, which is the disproportionately high mortality rates among newborns and young children, particularly in developing countries. The target aims to ensure that such deaths become a thing of the past, and all children have a fair chance at leading healthy lives. This target underscores the importance of maternal and child healthcare, adequate nutrition, immunization, and access to essential healthcare services.
Target 3.3 focuses on ending the epidemics of several infectious diseases that undermine health and wellbeing globally. While the incidence of many communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis have been declining over the years, these diseases continue to affect millions of people worldwide. The target promotes wider access to prevention, treatment, and care related to these diseases, as well as addressing their social and economic determinants.
Target 3.8 calls for achieving universal health coverage (UHC), a concept that seeks to ensure that all people have access to quality and affordable health services without financial hardship. UHC recognizes that health is a human right and is central to sustainable development. The target emphasizes the importance of financial risk protection, which aims to prevent people from having to pay out of pocket for healthcare expenses, leading to financial hardship and poverty.
Lastly, Target 3.b calls for greater investment in the research and development of vaccines and medicines, particularly for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries. This target recognizes the need for greater innovation and investment in finding solutions for the health challenges facing the world’s poorest communities. Additionally, this target calls for greater access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, addressing one of the main barriers to achieving universal health coverage.
| SDG Target Number | Target Description |
|---|---|
| 3.2 | End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age by 2030 |
| 3.3 | End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases by 2030 |
| 3.8 | Achieve universal health coverage, 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 |
| 3.b | Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health |
Improving global health is complex and multi-dimensional, and requires collective and sustained efforts from governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals. Meeting these four SDG targets will not be easy, but is critical to ensuring that individuals can live healthy and fulfilling lives, and to building more resilient and equitable societies.
SDG target 3.4: Non-communicable diseases
Non-communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are long-lasting conditions that do not spread from person to person. They are the leading cause of death worldwide and are largely preventable. Target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to reduce the number of premature deaths caused by non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.
- The target includes reducing premature mortality from cancer, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory diseases
- The target also aims to promote mental health and well-being and prevent substance abuse
- The target includes increasing access to affordable and essential medicines and vaccines for non-communicable diseases
Non-communicable diseases are responsible for approximately 71% of all deaths globally, with the majority of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In order to achieve Target 3.4, a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach is necessary.
Prevention is key to reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. This includes implementing public health policies to reduce risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. Access to quality healthcare services is also crucial, as early detection and management can prevent serious complications and premature death.
| Non-communicable Diseases | Leading Risk Factors |
|---|---|
| Cancer | Tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity |
| Stroke | High blood pressure, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity |
| Heart Disease | High blood pressure, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity |
| Diabetes | Unhealthy diets, obesity, physical inactivity |
| Respiratory Diseases | Air pollution, tobacco use, indoor and outdoor air quality |
Target 3.4 recognizes the importance of addressing non-communicable diseases in achieving sustainable development. By reducing premature deaths caused by these diseases, we can improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.
SDG target 3.7: Universal health coverage
Ensuring universal health coverage is one of the key targets of Sustainable Development Goal 3. The objective of this target is to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare services to everyone, irrespective of their age, gender, or economic status. The target focuses on reducing the financial burden of healthcare services and making it universally accessible for all.
4 Sustainable Development Goals Targets Related to Health
- SDG target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
- SDG target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
- SDG target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- SDG target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
Challenges in Achieving Universal Health Coverage
The journey towards achieving universal health coverage is filled with obstacles such as inadequate funding, lack of resources and infrastructure, inadequate healthcare personnel and technology, and socio-cultural factors such as gender inequality and discrimination. However, with effective policies and strategies in place, it can be achievable.
The need for sustainable financing, partnership, and stakeholder participation in the healthcare delivery system is crucial to achieve universal health coverage. Governments, private sector, civil society, and community leaders must work together to ensure that healthcare services are accessible and affordable for all.
Role of Technology in Achieving Universal Health Coverage
Technology plays a significant role in achieving universal health coverage. Its application in healthcare delivery has facilitated the tracking of health outcomes, patient management, and disease prevention. The use of electronic health records, telemedicine, mobile health, and health informatics systems has contributed to the improvement of healthcare services and reduction of healthcare costs.
| Technology | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Telemedicine | Remote monitoring of patients, reduced healthcare costs, and increased access to healthcare services |
| Electronic health records | Efficient and accurate recording and storage of patient data, patient history tracking, and improved treatment outcomes |
| Mobile health | Increased patient engagement, access to health information, and remote healthcare services |
| Health informatics systems | Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret healthcare data, which leads to insights and facilitates decision-making in healthcare service delivery |
Thus, technology integration in healthcare delivery is crucial towards achieving universal health coverage.
SDG target 3.8: Access to essential medicines
In the context of sustainable development, ensuring access to essential medicines is a critical component of achieving health for all people. This is precisely where SDG target 3.8 comes in. This goal aims to ensure access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all, thereby contributing to reducing the burden of disease and improving global health outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Subsection 1: Essential medicines
- Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority healthcare needs of the population.
- They are selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified more than 400 essential medicines, covering a wide range of health conditions and diseases, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Subsection 2: Quality of medicines
Providing access to essential medicines is not enough; these medicines must also be of high quality. Poor quality medicines, including those that are counterfeit, substandard, or falsified, can be ineffective, toxic, or even deadly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all medicines meet internationally recognized standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
Subsection 3: Affordability of medicines
Access to essential medicines is also dependent on affordability. Many people in low- and middle-income countries lack access to medicines due to their high cost. Therefore, efforts must be made to reduce the cost of essential medicines while maintaining their quality.
Subsection 4: International cooperation
Achieving SDG target 3.8 requires a coordinated and collaborative effort involving governments, international organizations, civil society, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders. It also calls for increased investment in research and development to foster innovation and ensure the availability of essential medicines. Moreover, countries must work together to strengthen health systems and supply chains to ensure the sustainable delivery of essential medicines to those who need them most.
| Challenges | Solutions |
|---|---|
| High prices of essential medicines | Joint procurement, generic competition, patent pools, and differential pricing |
| Limited availability of essential medicines | Strengthening health systems, local production, and efficient supply chains |
| Poor quality of essential medicines | Strengthening regulatory systems, quality control, and pharmacovigilance |
| Lack of innovation in essential medicines | Investments in research and development, incentivizing innovation, and technology transfer |
To sum up, achieving SDG target 3.8 is crucial for improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of disease globally. Through international cooperation and investment, we can ensure access to essential medicines that are of high quality, affordable, and available to all people, regardless of their income or geographic location.
SDG target 3.b: Health workforce development
SDG target 3.b aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to develop their healthcare workforce. This target recognizes the critical role that a well-trained and adequately staffed healthcare workforce plays in delivering quality healthcare services. Achieving this target will require investment in training, education, and retention of healthcare workers.
- Investing in training: One aspect of this target is investing in the training of healthcare workers. This includes developing quality training programs that equip healthcare workers with the skills they need to provide high-quality care to their patients. Investment in training also means ensuring that healthcare workers have access to continuing education opportunities throughout their career to keep their skills up-to-date.
- Education: Another aspect of developing the healthcare workforce is investment in education. This includes improving the education system to ensure that healthcare workers have access to quality education at all levels, from primary school to university. Investment in education will ensure that there is a pipeline of well-trained healthcare workers entering the workforce.
- Retaining healthcare workers: Retaining healthcare workers is also a critical aspect of achieving SDG target 3.b. This requires addressing the issues of underinvestment, inadequate remuneration, and poor working conditions that are currently driving healthcare workers away from the field. Providing healthcare workers with competitive salaries and benefits, creating a safe and supportive work environment, and offering opportunities for career advancement can help retain the workforce.
Addressing the challenges of healthcare workforce shortages requires a multi-pronged approach that involves investment in training, education, and retention of healthcare workers. This investment will not only improve the quality of healthcare but also contribute to the overall health and well-being of communities.
Current status of SDG target 3.b
The progress towards achieving SDG target 3.b has been mixed. While some countries have made significant strides in developing their healthcare workforce, many others continue to face critical shortages and inadequate training opportunities. According to the World Health Organization, there is a global shortage of 18 million healthcare workers, with many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia facing the most significant workforce deficits.
To address this challenge, the WHO has called for increased investment in the education, training, and retention of healthcare workers. The WHO’s Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health provides a roadmap for countries to develop and maintain their healthcare workforce.
Investment in healthcare workforce development: A smart economic choice
Investing in healthcare workforce development is not only a moral imperative but also a smart economic choice. According to the WHO, every dollar invested in healthcare workforce development yields a return of up to $9, as a healthy population contributes to economic growth. A well-trained and adequately staffed healthcare workforce also helps to prevent disease outbreaks, reduce healthcare costs and improve health outcomes.
In conclusion, developing a robust and resilient healthcare workforce is vital to achieving SDG target 3.b. Investing in training, education, and retention of healthcare workers will not only improve healthcare but also contribute to the overall well-being of communities and economic growth.
| Key takeaways |
|---|
| SDG target 3.b aims to strengthen the capacity of countries to develop their healthcare workforce |
| Investment in training, education, and retention of healthcare workers are critical to achieving this target |
| The progress towards achieving SDG target 3.b has been mixed |
| Investing in healthcare workforce development is a smart economic choice |
SDG target 6.1: Safe and affordable drinking water
One of the key targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 is to provide safe and affordable drinking water to all people by 2030. This target recognizes the fundamental role that access to clean and reliable water plays in promoting health, wellbeing, and economic development.
Four Sustainable Development Goals Targets Related to Health
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 13: Climate Action
Improving access to safe water and sanitation
SDG target 6.1 highlights the need to improve access to safe water and sanitation. Meeting this objective involves addressing a broad range of factors that impact water quality and availability, including pollution, overuse, climate change, and inadequate infrastructure. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion people lack access to safe sanitation services.
Meeting the SDG 6.1 target requires concerted efforts at both the national and international level to improve water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as to promote better management and conservation practices. Understanding the socioeconomic factors that contribute to water insecurity is also critical to devising effective strategies to address this issue.
The importance of safe and affordable drinking water for health
Safe and affordable drinking water is a basic human need that is essential for maintaining health. Access to clean water is linked to a wide range of health benefits, including reducing the incidence of waterborne illnesses and reducing the risk of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Conversely, poor water quality is linked to a range of negative health outcomes, including diarrheal diseases, skin infections, and respiratory illnesses.
| Waterborne Illness | Chronic Diseases |
|---|---|
| Cholera | Obesity |
| Typhoid Fever | Diabetes |
| Hepatitis A | Heart Disease |
| Gastroenteritis |
Moreover, access to safe water is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly. Children who lack access to clean water are more likely to suffer from diarrhea, malnutrition, and stunted growth, while the elderly are more susceptible to health problems associated with waterborne illnesses.
Overall, achieving SDG target 6.1 is a critical step towards promoting health and wellbeing for all people, as well as supporting sustainable economic development and environmental conservation. By prioritizing investments in water and sanitation infrastructure, improving water management practices, and raising awareness about the importance of safe and affordable drinking water, we can help ensure that all people have access to this essential resource.
SDG Target 6.2: Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion
SDG target 6.2 aims to provide access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and to end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
- Subtarget 6.2.1: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
- Subtarget 6.2.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations in all settings, such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Poor sanitation and hygiene practices are major contributors to the spread of diseases, leading to increased mortality rates and reduced productivity. Achieving SDG target 6.2 will not only improve health outcomes but also contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth.
Sanitation and hygiene promotion programs can include the following:
- Construction and maintenance of toilets, waste disposal facilities, and handwashing stations
- Behavioral change campaigns to encourage safe hygiene practices such as handwashing with soap, using toilets instead of open defecation, and proper disposal of waste
- Training of community health workers to educate and mobilize communities to participate in sanitation and hygiene promotion activities
| Benefits of achieving SDG target 6.2 | Costs of inadequate sanitation and hygiene |
|---|---|
| Improved health outcomes | Increased mortality and morbidity rates due to spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid |
| Enhanced productivity and economic growth | Decreased productivity due to illness and absenteeism from work or school |
| Reduced healthcare costs | Increased healthcare costs due to treatment of waterborne diseases and other related illnesses |
Overall, achieving SDG target 6.2 will have significant positive impacts on health, productivity, and economic growth, making it a key priority for sustainable development.
SDG target 11.6: Access to green and public spaces for health and well-being
One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets is to ensure access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces for all individuals, including vulnerable populations such as children, elders, and people with disabilities. The target, SDG 11.6, recognizes the importance of green and public spaces in promoting health and well-being in urban areas.
- Green and public spaces provide opportunities for physical activity and exercise, which are essential for reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Access to green spaces has been shown to improve mental health and reduce stress levels, leading to greater social cohesion and community connectedness.
- Well-designed urban green spaces can help mitigate the effects of air pollution, noise, and heat stress, improving overall environmental health.
Despite the well-documented benefits of green and public spaces, many communities lack access to them. There is a need for policies and programs at the local and national levels to ensure access to green and public spaces for all individuals, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
The table below provides some examples of initiatives and policies that can help promote access to green and public spaces:
| Policy/Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Public Space Index (PSI) | A tool used to measure the quality and access to public spaces in urban areas, helping policymakers identify areas that require improvement. |
| Community Gardens | Community gardens provide access to green spaces and promote the production of fresh food in urban areas, addressing food insecurity and improving physical and mental health. |
| Complete Streets Policy | A policy that ensures streets are designed to accommodate all forms of transportation (e.g., walking, cycling, transit), promoting physical activity and reducing vehicular pollution. |
Overall, SDG target 11.6 aims to ensure equitable access to green and public spaces for all individuals, recognizing the important role these spaces play in promoting health and well-being, community connectedness, and environmental sustainability.
FAQs about 4 Sustainable Development Goals Targets Related to Health
1. What is Goal 3 of Sustainable Development Goals?
Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This goal includes targets to reduce maternal, infant, and child mortality, combat infectious diseases, and strengthen health systems.
2. What is Target 3.4 of SDGs?
Target 3.4 of the SDGs is to reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
3. What is Target 3.8 of SDGs?
Target 3.8 of the SDGs is to achieve universal health coverage, 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.
4. What is Target 3.A of SDGs?
Target 3.A of the SDGs is to strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries to reduce the proportion of people who smoke tobacco.
Closing Thoughts on 4 Sustainable Development Goals Targets Related to Health
Thanks for reading about these crucial SDGs targets related to health. These targets aim to achieve better health outcomes for all people, regardless of their economic, social, or geographic status. By working together, we can create a world where health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. Let’s continue to work towards building a healthier and more sustainable world. Please visit us again for more informative articles.