Millennium Development Goals and Health

Better health contributes not only to broad economic development, but also to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Three of the eight MDGs are health specific.

Goal 4
Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five.

Goal 5
Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio.

Goal 6
Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Halt and begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.

Of the other five MDGs, three - Goal 1 on poverty and hunger; Goal 7 on environmental sustainability; and Goal 8 on global partnership for development - are health-related in that improved health outcomes both influence and are influenced by the achievement of these Goals. Improvements in health also depend on, and contribute to, the achievement of the remaining Goal 2, on education, and Goal 3, on gender equality. Building up and strengthening health systems are crucial to make progress towards the MDGs and beyond.

More on MDGs and Health

ESCAP, Chapter III: Health Systems and MDGs, Theme Study for the 63rd ESCAP Commission: Development of Health Systems in the Context of Enhancing Economic Growth towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific (ST/ESCAP/2449)

ESCAP, UNDP and ADB, Achieving the Health Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific: Policies and Actions within Health Systems and Beyond (2007) (ST/ESCAP/2450)

ESCAP, UNDP and ADB, The Millennium Development Goals: Progress in Asia and the Pacific 2006 (2006)

ESCAP, UNDP and ADB, A Future within Reach: Reshaping Institutions in a Region of Disparities to Meet the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific (2005) (ST/ESCAP/2376)