Comprehensive Study Notes on SDG 3 and Related SDGs

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or global goals, include 169 targets for global improvement by 2030, developed collaboratively by UN member states, NGOs, and stakeholders. They are integrated, interdependent, and indivisible, with progress in one supporting others, requiring multi-level cooperation.

SDGs are crucial for global health and development, aiming to end poverty and hunger, improve health, empower women, tackle climate change, and reduce inequalities. Global health focuses on health equity, and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) provides a framework, deeply interconnected with other goals.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Focus and Targets by 2030

Overall aim: Promote physical and mental health and extend life expectancy. Key 2030 targets include:

  • Reduce global maternal mortality to < 70\text{ deaths per }100{,}000\text{ live births}.

  • End preventable deaths of newborns (neonatal mortality to 12 per 1,00012\text{ per }1{,}000) and children under five (to 25 per 1,00025\text{ per }1{,}000).

  • End epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and combat hepatitis.

  • Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third.

  • Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

  • Halve global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

  • Achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services and universal health coverage (UHC).

  • Reduce deaths/illness from hazardous chemicals and pollution.

  • Strengthen the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

  • Support R&D and access to vaccines/medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases.

  • Increase investment in health care services and healthcare workers, especially in low-income regions.

  • Strengthen national and global health risk management capacity.

Key Features and Focus

Maternal and Child Health:

  • Maternal Mortality: Around 800 women die daily800\text{ women die daily} from pregnancy/childbirth complications, with 95%95\% in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Interventions include universal access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services (e.g., antenatal care, with minimum four recommended visits), skilled birth attendants, post-natal care, contraception, and reducing adolescent pregnancies. These reduce risks like hemorrhage and monitor conditions like pre-eclampsia.

  • Newborn and Under-Five Deaths: The first 28 days (neonatal period) are critical, with major causes including premature birth, birth asphyxia, and infections. Leading causes of death for children under five are acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and malaria. In 2021, 2.3 million newborn deaths occurred (neonatal mortality rate = 18 per 1,000 live births)2.3\text{ million newborn deaths occurred (neonatal mortality rate = }18\text{ per }1{,}000\text{ live births)} and 5 million under-five deaths (under-5 mortality rate = 38 per 1,000 live births)5\text{ million under-five deaths (under-5 mortality rate = }38\text{ per }1{,}000\text{ live births)}. These are higher in Africa and for children in poverty; maternal education improves child survival.

Communicable Diseases:

  • AIDS (HIV/AIDS): Damages the immune system, transmitted via bodily fluids. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses the virus, prolongs life, and reduces mother-to-child transmission; it is not a cure. Remains a leading cause of death in reproductive-age women and adolescents in Africa.

  • Malaria: Vector-borne disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Interventions include insecticide-treated nets, indoor residual spraying, and antimalarial medicines. Challenges include drug and insecticide resistance, conflict, and climate change. Africa accounts for the majority of cases and deaths (619,000 deaths in 2021619{,}000\text{ deaths in }2021).

  • Hepatitis: Liver inflammation from five main types (A, B, C, D, E). Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver-related deaths. Interventions involve UHC for testing/treatment, blood safety, widespread vaccination, and safe water/sanitation.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health:

  • NCDs: Focus on reducing premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Global risk factors are tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, alcohol, and air pollution, often driven by marketing. Actions include clear food labeling laws, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages/alcohol/tobacco, promotion of physical activity, and UHC with essential medicines.

  • Mental Health: Aims to promote mental health for improved functioning and productivity, addressing challenges like suicide (higher in men and LMICs) and links to substance abuse and poverty. Strategies include increased funding, UHC for mental health services, community/school promotion, and better data collection.

Road Safety:

  • Over 1 million deaths annually1\text{ million deaths annually}, with 92%92\% in LMICs. A leading cause of death for ages 5–29. Interventions include driver