GOAL 3: HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

We have made significant progress in reducing child mortality rates, improving maternal health, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases. Since 1990, there has been a global reduction of over 50% in preventable child deaths. Maternal deaths have also decreased by 45% worldwide. Between 2000 and 2013, the rate of HIV/AIDS infections fell by 30%, and over 6.2 million people were saved from malaria. Despite this incredible progress, more than 6 million children die each year before reaching their fifth birthday. Every day, 16,000 children die from preventable diseases such as measles and tuberculosis. Every day, hundreds of women lose their lives due to complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. In rural areas, only 56% of births are attended by qualified professionals. AIDS remains the number one cause of death among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa, which is still grappling with a severe HIV epidemic. These deaths can be prevented through prevention and treatment, education, vaccination campaigns, and sexual and reproductive health services. The Sustainable Development Goals represent a bold commitment to eradicate AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious disease epidemics by 2030. The goal is to ensure that everyone has access to essential health services, safe and effective medicines, and vaccines. Supporting vaccine research and development is an essential part of this process.