Concern about Living Health and Well-being

Introduction

Among all 17 goals proposed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) calling for action by all countries, I care most about the third one: To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. As there is an old saying well-known in China: The body is the capital of revolution. Only with great health and well-being can human being act successfully in ending poverty, building economic growth and addressing a range of social needs. In order to pursue sustainable development, it is primary and of great significance to ensure healthy lives as well as promote the well-being at all ages.

Figure 1 the importance of health ^[1]

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Therefore, the wellness of modern people includes physical health, mental health, social health, intellectual health, moral health, environmental health, etc. Health is not only a human right, but also the most precious asset in human life. ^[2]

Background ^[3]

So far, significant progress has been made in extending life expectancy and decreasing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality.

However, here are some facts and figures in the following, showing that there are still many more efforts needed to thoroughly eradicate various diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health problems.

Child Health

Figure 2 the healthy children ^[4]

Compared to 1990, 17,000 fewer children die each day. Since 2000, measles vaccines have prevented nearly 15.6 million deaths. However, more than five million children still die before their fifth birthday each year. And deaths of children under age five account for four out of every five in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia.

Public researches demonstrate facts that children born into poverty are almost twice as likely to die before the age of five as those from wealthier families, and children of educated mothers are more likely to survive than children of mothers with no education.

Maternal Health

Figure 3 the causes of death in pregnant women ^[5]

Since 2000, maternal mortality has fallen by 37%. In developing regions, antenatal care increased from 65% in 1990 to 83% in 2012, indicating that more and more women are receiving antenatal care.

However, in developing regions, the maternal mortality ratio (that is, the proportion of mothers that do not survive childbirth compared to those who do) is still 14 times higher than that of developed regions, and only half of women have access to the recommended medical treatment.

HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases

Today, the global incidence of malaria is estimated to have dropped by 37% and mortality has fallen by 58%. In the most recent 2017, 36.9 million people worldwide were infected with HIV, and 940,000 people died of AIDS-related diseases.

Figure 4 national women and girls with HIV/AIDS ^[6]

HIV remains the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age worldwide, and AIDS is now the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa and the second most common cause of death in the world.

Targets

The 10 main targets below are extracted from 13 objects mentioned in ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages ^[3], which is highly concerned to be achieved by 2030.

Figure 5 10 main targets for good health and well-being ^[3]

Strategies

There are multiple strategies can contribute to good health and well-being. The first is that individuals promote and protect the health of themselves and those around them by making informed choices, having safe sex, and vaccinating their children. The second is to raise awareness in communities about the importance of good health, healthy lifestyles and people’s right to quality medical services, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as women and children. The third is asking governments, local leaders and other policy makers to take responsibility for their commitment to improve people’s access to health and health services. ^[7]

Reference

[1] SDG Resources for Educators – Good Health and Well-Being, https://en.unesco.org/themes/education/sdgs/material/03

[2] https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%81%A5%E5%BA%B7/352662?fr=aladdin

[3] Health – United Nations Sustainable Development, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/

[4] Children’s Health | Community Health Network, https://prod.ecommunity.com/services/childrens-health

[5] Straight No Chaser In the News: A Rising U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate, https://www.jeffreysterlingmd.com/2015/05/14/straight-no-chaser-in-the-news-a-rising-u-s-maternal-mortality-rate/

[6] National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2019 – AIDSVu, https://aidsvu.org/national-women-girls-hiv-aids-awareness-day-2019/

[7] https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ENGLISH_Why_it_Matters_Goal_3_Health.pdf