Challenges
Within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress in one area is related to progress in other areas. Reflecting the complex pattern of health determinants, ensuring health and well-being for all, at all ages, is a goal in itself (Goal 3) that also affects and is influenced by other SDGs. Health targets are therefore distributed across all Goals.
The fact sheets on the SDG health targets present key facts and figures, ongoing commitments, guidance on action, and indicators to monitor progress – in the context of the WHO European Region. They also provide specific highlights on how WHO/Europe supports Member States in achieving these targets, and cover key SDG aspects such as equity, partnerships and intersectoral collaboration.
Health inequities
Over the last century, average health status has dramatically improved in the WHO European Region. However, these gains are not evenly distributed across countries or across social groups within the same country. For example, the highest national maternal mortality rate in the Region is now estimated to be 25 times higher than the lowest. Learn more about how WHO/Europe supports Member States in tackling socially determined health inequities:
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption is a major health risk in the WHO European Region, where alcohol intake is the highest in the world. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work to address harmful alcohol use:
Overweight and obesity
Over 20% of people in the WHO European Region are obese. Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for various noncommunicable diseases, and the increasing trend in the number of overweight infants and children is especially alarming. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work to address overweight and obesity:
Tobacco use
Of the 53 countries in the WHO European Region, 50 have ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Despite the gains made, and efforts through the FCTC towards a tobacco-free Europe, the Region still has the highest prevalence of tobacco smoking adults – 28%. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work on tobacco control and efforts to stop noncommunicable diseases:
