The latest United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have set a deadline of meeting essential global health targets by 2030.

Achieving these ambitious targets will require significant investment, resources, and efforts from governments, private sectors, civil society organizations, and individuals. In this article, we will explore the cost of meeting health targets by 2030, including the estimated financial requirements and the potential challenges and opportunities in achieving these goals.

The Major Health Targets by 2030

The United Nations has set an ambitious target of achieving several major health goals by 2030. These include:.

Reducing child mortality rates
Improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality rates
Preventing and treating communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis
Ensuring access to safe, affordable, and effective medicines and vaccines
Reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases
Strengthening health systems and increasing the number of healthcare professionals

The Estimated Cost of Meeting Health Targets by 2030

Meeting these health targets by 2030 will require significant investment from various sources, including governments, private sectors, and donors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that low and middle-income countries alone will need an additional $134 billion per year to achieve these health targets. This includes investing in healthcare infrastructures, improving the availability and accessibility of essential medicines and vaccines, and increasing the number of healthcare professionals.

While this is a significant amount, investments in health can yield substantial social and economic benefits, such as reducing healthcare costs, increasing productivity, and boosting economic growth.

The WHO has estimated that every $1 invested in health can generate up to $20 in economic gains.

The Potential Challenges and Opportunities

Meeting these health targets by 2030 will not be an easy task. There are several potential challenges and opportunities in achieving these goals:.

Financing: While there is a need for significant investment, it can be challenging to secure funding from conventional sources. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as social impact bonds, could be explored.
Health Systems Strengthening: The existing healthcare infrastructures need to be strengthened, and the number of healthcare professionals needs to be increased to deliver quality healthcare services. This will require coordinated efforts from governments and private sectors.
Research and Development: There is a need for research and development into new medicines and vaccines, especially for neglected diseases that affect low-income countries.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships between governments, private sectors, and civil society organizations are critical to achieving these health targets. Sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources can help accelerate progress.
Health Literacy: Improving health literacy and education is essential to empower individuals to make informed health decisions and prevent diseases.

The Bottom Line

Meeting essential global health targets by 2030 will require significant investment, resources, and efforts from various stakeholders.

While there are substantial financial requirements, investing in health can have significant social and economic benefits. Addressing the challenges and opportunities will require coordinated efforts, collaboration, and innovation. By working together, we can create a healthier and sustainable future for everyone.