Improving Global Health: Understanding and Achieving SDG 3
The United Nations has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. Among them is Global Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being. This goal aims to ensure that everyone has access to quality health care and is living a healthy life.
Targets of SDG 3
Target 3.1 - Reduce maternal mortality: This target aims to reduce the number of women who die during pregnancy or childbirth by providing quality maternal health care.
Target 3.2 - End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years old: This target aims to reduce the number of children who die before their fifth birthday by providing access to essential healthcare services.
Target 3.3 - Combat communicable diseases: This target aims to control and eradicate communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
Target 3.4 - Reduce non-communicable diseases: This target aims to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Target 3.5 - Promote mental health: This target aims to promote mental health and well-being by raising awareness, providing access to care, and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
Target 3.6 - Strengthen health systems: This target aims to strengthen health systems by improving infrastructure, increasing access to healthcare workers, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines and vaccines.
Target 3.7 - Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services: This target aims to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and quality sexual and reproductive health care services.
Target 3.8 - Achieve universal health coverage: This target aims to ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services without facing financial hardship.
Target 3.9 - Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution: This target aims to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals and pollution in order to prevent illness and death.
Target 3.A - Strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control: This target aims to reduce tobacco use and the harm caused by tobacco through the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Target 3.B - Support research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases: This target aims to support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases, particularly in developing countries.
Target 3.C - Increase health financing and support the health workforce in developing countries: This target aims to increase health financing and support the development of the health workforce in developing countries to improve access to healthcare services.
Target 3.D - Strengthen the capacity of all countries, particularly developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks: This target aims to strengthen the capacity of all countries, particularly developing countries, to prepare for and respond to health emergencies and outbreaks
Challenges
Despite progress made towards achieving these targets, there are still many challenges that must be addressed. Some of these challenges include:
- Inadequate healthcare infrastructure: Many developing countries lack the necessary infrastructure to provide quality healthcare to their citizens. Inadequate funding, a shortage of medical personnel, and insufficient medical equipment and facilities are some of the major obstacles.
- Health disparities: There are significant disparities in health outcomes across different regions and socio-economic groups. Those living in poverty or in rural areas often have limited access to healthcare and face a higher risk of preventable diseases and premature death.
- Non-communicable diseases (NCDs): NCDs such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease are responsible for a growing share of deaths worldwide. The rise in NCDs is due to a combination of factors such as an aging population, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy diets.
- Infectious diseases: Despite significant progress in the fight against infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, these diseases remain major public health threats in many parts of the world. Factors such as poor sanitation and hygiene, limited access to clean water, and inadequate vaccination coverage contribute to their spread.
- Mental health: Mental illness is a leading cause of disability and is often stigmatized, leading to discrimination and neglect. Many people with mental illness do not receive the care they need, and resources for mental health services are often inadequate.
- Climate change: Climate change is exacerbating existing health challenges and creating new ones. The rise in global temperatures is increasing the spread of vector-borne diseases, while extreme weather events such as floods and droughts can lead to malnutrition and other health problems.
How can you contribute to achieving SDG 3?
- Promote Health Awareness: Raising awareness about health issues is a crucial step towards achieving good health and well-being. You can contribute by sharing information about health issues with your friends, family, and community. You can also educate yourself about health issues and share your knowledge with others.
- Support Local Health Care Facilities: Health care facilities in many parts of the world lack the necessary resources and support to provide quality healthcare. You can contribute by supporting local healthcare facilities through donations, volunteering, and advocacy.
- Promote Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, balanced diets, and good sleep hygiene can go a long way in ensuring good health and well-being. You can contribute by promoting these habits in your community and encouraging others to adopt them.
- Advocate for Universal Health Coverage: Universal health coverage ensures that everyone has access to quality health care services without experiencing financial hardship. You can contribute by advocating for policies and initiatives that promote universal health coverage.
- Support Research and Development: Investing in research and development is essential for advancing medical technologies and improving health outcomes. You can contribute by supporting research institutions, funding research projects, and advocating for policies that support research and development.
- Support Mental Health Initiatives: Mental health is an important aspect of overall well-being. You can contribute by supporting mental health initiatives and advocacy efforts, promoting mental health awareness, and advocating for policies that promote mental health.
- Donate Blood: Blood donation is a critical component of health care systems around the world. You can contribute by donating blood regularly, especially during times of high demand or emergencies.
- Address Global Health Issues: Many health issues are global in nature and require international cooperation to address. You can contribute by advocating for global health initiatives, supporting international health organizations, and raising awareness about global health issues.
- Support Health Workers: Health workers play a crucial role in providing quality health care services. You can contribute by supporting health worker initiatives, advocating for their rights and safety, and expressing gratitude for their work.
Examples of successful initiatives towards SDG 3
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Gavi is a global health partnership that aims to increase access to immunizations in the world's poorest countries. Since its creation in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunize over 822 million children and has prevented more than 14 million deaths.
- Partners in Health: Partners in Health is a non-profit organization that provides health care services to people in some of the world's poorest communities. Founded in 1987, the organization has expanded to provide care in 11 countries and has been instrumental in fighting epidemics like Ebola and COVID-19.
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: The Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, and the private sector that provides funding to countries to fight these three deadly diseases. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has provided over $45 billion in funding and has saved more than 38 million lives.
- The World Health Organization's "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" initiative: This initiative aims to reduce the number of surgical deaths and complications by implementing safe surgery practices in hospitals around the world. Since its launch in 2008, the initiative has been implemented in over 6,000 hospitals in more than 100 countries.
- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: The Gates Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that invests in global health initiatives. The foundation has provided funding for initiatives like the development of new vaccines and treatments for diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
In conclusion, Global Goal 3 is an important aspect of the Sustainable Development Goals, and achieving its targets is crucial to improving health and well-being for all. By working together and addressing the challenges, we can make significant progress towards ensuring that everyone has access to quality health care and is living a healthy life.