Impacts of Sustainable Development Goal 3 and Health Systems

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 to provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet to address global challenges, including poverty, better well-being and inequality. There are 17 goals with a number of targets to achieve a better and sustainable future in the related thematic issues, including water, energy, climate, oceans, urbanisation, transport, science and technology. SDG 3 seeks to ensure health and well-being for all at every stage of life. The SDG 3 focuses all major health priorities, including reproductive, maternal and child health; communicable, non-communicable and environmental diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines and vaccines. It also calls for more research and development, increased health financing and strengthened capacity of all countries in health risk reduction and management. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic is devastating health systems in the world and jeopardises health outcomes already achieved. The chapter will discuss the impacts of SDG 3 in community healthcare delivery with reference to selected targets and introduce the Framework for Action of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Strengthening Health Systems to Improve Health Outcomes.