December 2015: The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report that analyzes progress on global health under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and considers both challenges and priority actions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report addresses the contribution of health to all SDGs and explores the potential impacts of emerging issues on global health, such as environmental and technological change.

‘Health in 2015: from MDGs to SDGs’ observes progress on the health-related MDGs, presents data and analysis on key health areas in the SDGs, and provides “snapshots” of 34 health topics such as air pollution and road traffic injuries. The report identifies the doubling of global funding for health, the creation of funding mechanisms and partnerships, and the role of civil society in addressing HIV/AIDS as critical ingredients for success on the health-related MDGs.

Universal health coverage (UHC) “is the linchpin of development in health and reflects the SDGs’ strong focus on equity and reaching the poorest, most disadvantaged people everywhere,” said Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO. The SDG target on UHC “underpins all other targets and provides an opportunity to refocus efforts on a more sustainable approach through system-wide reform” based on efficiency, health service integration and people-centered care, according to the report. It underscores the dependence of achieving the health-related SDGs on actions within the health sector as well as on cultural, economic, environmental and social factors.

“Measuring progress across a staggering number of targets, particularly with the lack of health data in developing countries,” will be one of the biggest challenges in achieving the SDGs, according to Kieny. To address the need for regular, high-quality data on health from all population groups, WHO is working to establish a Health Data Collaborative in early 2016, with the aim of supporting countries to improve their health data systems. In 2016, WHO will begin publishing a series of annual reports to measure progress towards the SDGs.

The UN highlighted the importance of achieving affordable access to health care on Universal Health Coverage Day, which took place on 12 December. In a message for the day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on “all countries to ensure that every person could access essential and affordable health services,” observing that the costs of health care “plunge millions of people into poverty or keep them trapped there.” Ban highlighted the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and the Every Woman, Every Child movement as critical to ending preventable deaths and securing well-being.

UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Mogens Lykketoft similarly described UHC as critical to well-being, saying UHC cuts across all of the health-related goals and epitomizes “the SDGs’ strong focus on equity and reaching the poorest, most disadvantaged people everywhere.” The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder called for ensuring that everyone has access to quality health care, saying UHC saves lives, contributes to poverty reduction, boosts employment and stimulates growth. He elaborated that UHC “will improve the lives of millions and contribute significantly towards” the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. [WHO Press Release] [Report Website] [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [ILO Director-General Statement] [UNGA President Statement]