Global efforts have been successful in recent decades: the under-five mortality rate fell by 60 per cent between 1990 and 2020, while global life expectancy has risen from 51 to 71 years. Maternal mortality has also been reduced, but the results for many countries in the Global South fall short of the targets set for Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) "Good Health and Well-being".
In sub-Saharan Africa, targeted measures have saved lives. By carrying out HIV tests during pregnancy and providing antiretroviral treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, over 3.4 million HIV infections in children have been prevented since 2000. The broad access to treatment options has helped to prevent around 21 million AIDS-related deaths, resulting in fewer children becoming orphans.
Despite this progress, medical care remains unevenly distributed around the world. Healthcare is generally better in countries with higher incomes and economic stability. Reasons for this include the quality and equipment of medical care, people's nutritional status, access to clean drinking water, education, hygiene and health-promoting environmental conditions.
The world is facing a rising number of health challenges: disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics have increased in recent years. One of the reasons for this is the growing interaction between humans, animals and the environment. These are triggered by deforestation, climate change, wildlife trade and improper animal husbandry, which favour the spread of zoonoses. At the same time, there is a dramatic shortage of well-trained healthcare staff in many regions, which makes it difficult to provide adequate care.
Together with partner organisations in the Global South, Misereor is committed to improving healthcare, particularly for poor and disadvantaged population groups who are unable to benefit from either state programmes or private healthcare services.
One focus is on strengthening primary healthcare as the first and most important point of contact for local people. This includes health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. The active involvement of the local population plays a key role in creating sustainable solutions that are accepted and supported by the community. Misereor promotes maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, prevention and treatment of communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy. Promoting mental health, combating gender-based violence and providing healthcare for people with disabilities is also an essential part of our work. Last but not least, we support partner organisations to train health workers and to adequately equip health facilities.
