8 DECEMBER 2015 | GENEVA - WHO today launched a new comprehensive analysis of global health trends since 2000 and an assessment of the challenges for the next 15 years.

"Health in 2015: from MDGs to SDGs" identifies the key drivers of progress in health under the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It lays out actions that countries and the international community should prioritize to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which come into effect on 1 January 2016.

Report: "Health in 2015: from MDGs to SDGs"

The 17 SDGs are broader and more ambitious than the MDGs, presenting an agenda that is relevant to all people in all countries to ensure that "no one is left behind." The new agenda requires that all 3 dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental – are addressed in an integrated manner.

Universal health coverage to achieve health related goals

Almost all the SDGs are directly related to health or will contribute to health indirectly. One goal (SDG3) specifically sets out to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Its 13 targets build on progress made on the MDGs and reflect a new focus on noncommunicable diseases and the achievement of universal health coverage.

"Universal health coverage cuts across all of the health-related goals," says Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant Director-General of Health Systems and Innovation at WHO. "It is the linchpin of development in health and reflects the SDGs strong focus on equity and reaching the poorest, most disadvantaged people everywhere."

Although the health MDGs missed a number of global targets, the overall results were impressive. The past 15 years witnessed major declines in child and maternal mortality and progress in the fight against HIV, TB and malaria in developing countries.

Key ingredients for success included a doubling in global funding for health, the creation of new funding mechanisms and partnerships, and the critical role of civil society in tackling diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Research investments led to the scale-up in all countries of new interventions such as antiretroviral therapy for HIV treatment and insecticide-treated bednets to prevent malaria.

Health and the SDGs

The WHO report presents the latest data and in-depth analysis for the key areas outlined in the health SDGs:

reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health;
infectious diseases including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis and neglected tropical diseases;

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