We all know how important it is to be in good health. Our health affects  everything from how much we enjoy life to what work we can perform. 

That’s why there’s a Goal to make sure everyone has health coverage  and access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines. In the 25 years before the SDGs, we made big strides—preventable child deaths  dropped by more than half, and maternal mortality went down by  almost as much. And yet some other numbers remain tragically high, like  the fact that 6 million children die every year before their fifth birthday,  or that AIDS is the leading cause of death for adolescents in sub-Saharan  Africa.

Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality, and major progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

However, only half of women in developing countries have received the health care they need. An important target is to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from pollution-related diseases.

We have the means to turn that around and make good health  more than just a wish.