Health is a driver, indicator, and outcome of sustainable development. Healthy people are better able to contribute to the development of their countries.

The world made remarkable progress in child survival in the past few decades, and millions of children have better survival chances today, than in 2000. Globally, from 2000 to 2016, the total number of deaths under the age of 5, dropped from 9.9 million to 5.6 million.

The number of women who died because of pregnancy complications and childbirth has declined by 37% since 2000.

Once common infectious diseases are on the decline, and several have been eradicated. Vaccination and access to clean water have greatly reduced the incidence of many infectious diseases.

Increasing focus on reproductive health rights leads to a drop in maternal death rates, healthier children, and a decrease in poverty rates.

Better access to disease prevention measures and treatment, means infectious diseases can be better contained, and more lives can be saved.

Encouraging people to take control of their health and reducing controllable risk factors leads to a longer life.