The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) — Good Health and Well-being — aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Health is central to human development and a cornerstone of sustainable growth. Without good health, individuals cannot access education, participate in the workforce, or contribute effectively to society. SDG 3 recognizes that achieving global health requires more than disease prevention; it encompasses a holistic approach that includes physical, mental, and social well-being.

Although the world has made remarkable progress in improving health outcomes over the past few decades — such as reducing child mortality, eradicating certain infectious diseases, and extending life expectancy — inequalities in access to healthcare and health outcomes remain stark. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, exposed the fragility of health systems worldwide and reversed years of progress in several regions. Achieving SDG 3 by 2030 requires resilient, equitable, and inclusive healthcare systems that leave no one behind.

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Understanding SDG 3

SDG 3 builds upon the foundation of previous global health initiatives, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which focused on child mortality, maternal health, and combating major diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria. The 2030 Agenda expands this vision, adopting a more comprehensive approach to health that addresses both communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, universal health coverage, and environmental health risks.

The overarching goal of SDG 3 is to promote health equity — ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, income, or geography, can lead a long and productive life. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that health is not merely the absence of disease but “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.”

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Targets of SDG 3

The United Nations has outlined several targets to guide progress toward achieving good health and well-being by 2030:

1. Reduce global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
2. End preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age.
3. End the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
4. Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention, treatment, and promotion of mental health and well-being.
5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
6. Halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.
7. Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning and education.
8. Achieve universal health coverage (UHC), including financial risk protection and access to quality essential healthcare services.
9. Reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.

These targets reflect a broad commitment to addressing health challenges through prevention, treatment, and systemic reform.

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Global Progress and Challenges

Significant progress has been made since 2000. Global child mortality has declined by more than half, and maternal mortality has also dropped substantially. The global HIV epidemic has been slowed through awareness, prevention, and treatment programs. Vaccination campaigns have nearly eradicated diseases like polio in most regions.

However, major challenges remain. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses — now account for over 70% of all global deaths. Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, have emerged as silent epidemics. The COVID-19 pandemic further strained healthcare systems, disrupted routine immunization programs, and widened health inequities.

Additionally, access to healthcare remains deeply unequal: in low-income countries, millions still lack access to essential medicines, skilled birth attendants, and basic sanitation. Environmental hazards, pollution, and climate change are now major determinants of public health, causing millions of premature deaths annually.

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Strategies for Achieving SDG 3

1. Strengthening Health Systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
   Achieving SDG 3 requires robust health systems capable of providing affordable, quality care for all. Governments should invest in infrastructure, digital health solutions, and health workforce development. Universal health coverage ensures that no one faces financial hardship when seeking care.
2. Preventing and Controlling Diseases
   Effective disease surveillance, vaccination, and early detection systems are vital. Integrated healthcare approaches should address both communicable and non-communicable diseases simultaneously, especially in resource-limited settings.
3. Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
   Encouraging physical activity, balanced diets, and the reduction of tobacco and alcohol use are key preventive strategies. Public health campaigns and school-based health education can promote lifelong healthy behaviors.
4. Improving Maternal and Child Health
   Access to antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and neonatal services are essential. Investments in nutrition, breastfeeding promotion, and immunization programs significantly reduce child mortality.
5. Addressing Mental Health
   Mental health must be integrated into primary healthcare systems. Reducing stigma, expanding access to counseling and psychiatric care, and promoting community-based mental health programs can save lives and improve well-being.
6. Environmental Health and Climate Resilience
   Air pollution, unsafe water, and exposure to hazardous chemicals are major health risks. Policies that promote clean energy, sustainable transport, and climate resilience also advance public health goals.
7. Global Cooperation and Health Equity
   International collaboration is vital for tackling pandemics, sharing research, and ensuring equitable access to vaccines and medicines. Strengthening the role of WHO and cross-border health partnerships will enhance global preparedness.

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Case Studies and Best Practices

Countries such as Thailand and Rwanda demonstrate that universal health coverage is achievable even in lower-income settings through strong political will and community-based models. Rwanda’s community health insurance program, for example, has significantly improved maternal and child health outcomes. Similarly, Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme has reduced inequality in health access and improved life expectancy.

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The Way Forward

The pursuit of SDG 3 requires a multi-sectoral approach that integrates health with education, environment, economy, and governance. Governments must increase health budgets, enhance data-driven decision-making, and promote preventive care. Civil society and private sectors play critical roles in innovation, financing, and outreach. Moreover, empowering communities to participate in health planning ensures that interventions are locally relevant and sustainable.

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Conclusion

Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) embodies the universal right to health — a right that is essential for human dignity and global prosperity. Achieving this goal by 2030 demands equitable access to healthcare, investment in prevention, and the strengthening of public health systems worldwide.

A healthy population is the foundation for all other Sustainable Development Goals. As nations recover from the COVID-19 crisis and confront new health challenges, the world must reaffirm its commitment to building resilient, inclusive, and people-centered health systems that safeguard well-being for current and future generations.