Key achievements in the WHO European Region

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.

Life expectancy

Life expectancy in the WHO European Region has increased in the past decades. On average, men can expect to live approximately 75 years, and women, around 81. For more information and data:

European Health Information Gateway

Maternal health

Mothers are increasingly healthier during pregnancy and delivery in the WHO European Region. The maternal mortality rate decreased by almost half from 2000 to 2015. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work on maternal and newborn health and targeting people’s health needs at key stages in life through the life-course approach:

Financial protection

Countries in the WHO European Region have a strong history of working towards protecting people from financial hardship. To support Member States in making informed policy choices, WHO/Europe is undertaking a regional analysis in 25 countries of the strength of financial protection and of the health coverage policies that influence health system performance – this analysis is the first of its kind. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work on financial protection:

Environmental health

The WHO European Region is a global leader in protecting people’s health from environmental risks. Read more about the European Environment and Health Process – the first ever process to eliminate the most significant environmental threats to human health:

International Health Regulations

The WHO European Region is a forerunner in implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR), which require countries to detect and respond to public health threats and to report on events which may constitute a potential public health emergency of international concern. WHO/Europe supports countries in the Region to better prepare and respond to health emergencies by offering technical guidance and support, and coordination in the field, on risk assessment and emergency preparedness, response and recovery. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work on health emergencies:

Decreased tuberculosis cases

The WHO European Region has seen an overall decrease in tuberculosis (TB) cases, yet the specific threat of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains. The number of TB cases halved from 2006 to 2015. Learn more about WHO/Europe’s work on TB: