Good Health and Well-Being

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Goal 1
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Make sure people of all ages can live healthy and happy lives.

Targets: 13
Events: 71
Publications: 49
Actions: 1,357

Building a Healthier World

Good health is the key to living a happy, productive, and meaningful life. Without good health, people cannot study, work, or contribute fully to their communities. That is why Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focuses on ensuring that every person, at every stage of life, has the chance to live long, safe, and healthy lives.

This goal is not only about treating diseases—it is about preventing illness, promoting healthier lifestyles, and creating strong healthcare systems that reach everyone, everywhere.

At Sustainable Development Goals, we believe that health is a basic human right, and achieving it is central to building fairer, stronger, and more equal societies.

Why This Goal Is Important

Health challenges remain one of the biggest barriers to human progress. Every year, millions of lives are lost due to preventable causes such as unsafe childbirth, lack of vaccines, poor sanitation, or limited access to doctors and medicines. Diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria still affect entire communities, while non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are on the rise.

Mental health also plays a vital role in well-being, but is often overlooked. Stress, depression, and other conditions continue to impact millions worldwide. On top of this, global threats such as pandemics, pollution, and unsafe roads add new risks to human health.

Achieving Goal 3 means

  • Fewer mothers and children are dying from preventable causes.
  • Ending epidemics of infectious diseases.
  • Affordable vaccines and medicines for everyone
  • Equal importance is given to physical and mental health.
  • Safer roads, healthier lifestyles, and stronger awareness of harmful habits.
  • Protection against global health risks such as pollution and pandemics.
  • Good health is not just about survival—it is about giving people the opportunity to thrive.

Targets and Areas of Focus

To make this vision a reality, Goal 3 includes 13 specific targets covering critical health priorities:

Maternal and Child Health

Reduce maternal mortality and prevent child deaths.

Communicable Diseases

End the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other deadly infections.

Non-Communicable Diseases

Reduce deaths from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases.

Mental Health

Promote awareness and expand access to mental health support.

Substance Abuse and Road Safety

Prevent deaths linked to smoking, alcohol, drug use, and traffic accidents.

Environmental Health

Reduce illnesses caused by pollution and unsafe living conditions.

Universal Healthcare

Ensure everyone has access to affordable, quality medical services, vaccines, and medicines.

Global Progress Toward Goal 3

Since the launch of the SDGs in 2015, many improvements have been made in global health:

  • Life expectancy has increased in many regions.
  • Child mortality rates have dropped significantly.
  • Vaccination programs have reached millions of children.
  • More awareness has been created about mental health and healthy living.

Yet challenges remain. Millions still lack proper healthcare, especially in low-income countries where resources are limited. Global collaboration, stronger healthcare systems, and continued investment are essential to achieving this goal.

Key milestones so far

  • 13 health targets identified under Goal 3.
  • 71 international programs and events supporting health and well-being.
  • 49 major research publications spreading knowledge and solutions.
  • 1,357 actions worldwide have been taken to strengthen healthcare and save lives.

A Shared Promise

Good health and well-being are not a privilege—it is a promise. It is the promise that every person should have the chance to live a long, safe, and fulfilling life, no matter where they are born.

At Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to this mission. By working hand in hand with governments, organisations, companies, and individuals, we can prevent avoidable deaths, strengthen healthcare systems, and give future generations the gift of better health.

Healthy people build healthy communities, and healthy communities create a better world for all.