Good health and well being
Over the last 15 years, the number of childhood deaths has been cut in half, proving that it is possible to win the fight against almost every disease. However, we are still spending an astonishing amount of money and resources on treating illnesses that are surprisingly easy to prevent. The new goal for worldwide Good Health promotes healthy lifestyles, preventive measures, and modern, efficient healthcare for everyone.
Goal 3 is based on the understanding that health outcomes are shaped by social conditions, environmental exposure, economic inequality, and institutional capacity, not solely by access to medical care. It addresses communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child mortality, mental health conditions, and environmental health risks.
Objectives include universal health coverage, reduced premature mortality, expanded access to essential medicines and vaccines, strengthened mental health services, and improved emergency preparedness. Structural needs encompass resilient health systems, trained health workers, sustainable financing, and equitable access across populations.
Key actors include the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, and Gavi. Smaller organisations such as Médecins Sans Frontières, Partners In Health, and BasicNeeds play critical roles in service delivery and innovation.
Achievements include expanded immunisation and reduced mortality from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Yet health inequalities persist, highlighted annually on World Health Day (7 April) and World Mental Health Day (10 October). GSN analyses health trends through governance, inequality, and environmental policy lenses.
Telemedicine in rural areas, where it helps and where it does not
School meal networks, local procurement and traceability, what is changing?
Global Brigades brings mobile dental care to remote villages
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine supports India’s response to Nipah virus outbreak
Hospice Buen Samaritano, the quiet revolution of dignified palliative care
Adopta Un Abuelo builds lasting intergenerational bonds to reduce loneliness among older people
When old age is left alone
The launch of the “be hope – end aids” campaign
Cheap smoke, costly consequences
Animals that teach and heal: how integrating animal-assisted interventions in education and healthcare enhances quality of life
How immunology is redefining its frontiers after the 2025 Nobel Prize
The 2025 Nobel Prize in medicine reveals the immune system’s brakes
Alliance on mental illness, essential inclusion and resilience in mental health
Six Seconds leading global change through emotional intelligence
Ethical AI in public health: a global path to reduce inequalities
Vaccination: Progress and Challenges
DRC’s initiative to end aids in children points the way for SDG 3
Superbugs on the rise: Asia at the epicentre of the global fight against antimicrobial resistance
Human Cell Atlas: Mapping the blueprint of human biology for global health and innovation
Warnings rise over mirror life: Synthetic biology's new frontier and its global risks
Bioscience breakthroughs and open data: How the Allen Institute advances global goals through collaborative research
Bridging the healthcare gap: Watsi's impact on global access to medical care
Legends of sport unite for groundbreaking mental health and wellbeing forum
Advances in the fight against neglected tropical diseases
Rethinking healthcare waste: A second life for medical supplies
Social media: A digital commons for human connection, not manipulation
Personalised mRNA vaccines: A breakthrough in targeted cancer treatment and global health equity
Tackling global smoking health challenges through collaborative public health initiatives
Eradicating tobacco use: How GAES combats smoking globally
This 16-year-old's bio-hack could change the world
AIDS2024: Put people first
Transparent Hands: Revolutionizing healthcare access
Global health: a shared responsibility
The global scientific society: a potential key to beating cancer
Emilia Clarke: a global society hero
Global vets on a mission
Specific smiles mend broken trust
Dancing to health
Animal sciences grandma
Love and loss on the cellular level
Teenage innovation: harnessing robotics for Alzheimer's care
Decoding IVF
Scientists teackle obesity challenges
Cutting-edge antibiotics with AI
Young Innovator transforms skin cancer prevention
Decoding the age
Pain management
AI revolutionizing cancer care
A tool to prevent teen extortion photos on social media has been released
Babyl: Mobile devices for medical guidance
TARGETS
Everyone can contribute to achieving the Global Goals. By focusing on these targets, meaningful action can be taken to create significant impacts across various areas. This approach encourages collaboration and collective efforts to address critical issues, ensuring that no one is left behind.
REDUCE MATERNAL MORTALITY
By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
END ALL PREVENTABLE DEATHS UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE
By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least 25 per 1,000 live births.
FIGHT COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
REDUCE MORTALITY FROM NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH
By 2030, reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
PREVENT AND TREAT SUBSTANCE ABUSE
To tackle substance abuse, including narcotics and harmful alcohol use, we need better prevention and treatment strategies.
REDUCE ROAD INJURIES AND DEATHS
By 2020, the goal is to reduce global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents by half. This target aims to enhance road safety measures worldwide through improved infrastructure, stricter regulations, and increased public awareness campaigns.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE CARE, FAMILY PLANNING AND EDUCATION
By 2030, the objective is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, which includes family planning, information, education, and integrating reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE
The goal is to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring everyone has access to quality essential health-care services, financial risk protection, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
REDUCE ILLNESSES AND DEATH FROM HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND POLLUTION
By 2030, the aim is to significantly decrease deaths and illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals and pollution of air, water, and soil. This goal seeks to mitigate the health risks associated with environmental pollution by implementing stringent regulations, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing public awareness and monitoring systems globally.
IMPLEMENT THE WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL
Enhance the enforcement of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control across all countries as relevant and necessary. This initiative aims to bolster global efforts in regulating tobacco consumption, promoting public health, and reducing the prevalence of tobacco-related diseases through comprehensive tobacco control measures.
SUPPORT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE VACCINES AND MEDICINES
Support research and development for vaccines and medicines targeting communicable and non-communicable diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries. Ensure affordable access to essential medicines and vaccines in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.
INCREASE HEALTH FINANCING AND SUPPORT HEALTH WORKFORCE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Significantly boost health financing and invest in recruiting, developing, training, and retaining healthcare professionals in developing countries, with a particular focus on least developed countries and small island developing States. This initiative aims to strengthen healthcare systems, improve access to quality health services, and address health workforce shortages in regions most in need of support.
IMPROVE EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS FOR GLOBAL HEALTH RISKS
Enhance the capacity of all countries, especially developing nations, to improve early warning systems and effectively manage both national and global health risks. This includes investing in infrastructure, training personnel, and implementing robust strategies for risk reduction and management.