Promoting healthy living and wellbeing at all ages is essential to sustainable development. The COVID-19 crisis has shown how a pandemic can destabilize lives around the world.

Until the pandemic started, a lot of progress was made in improving the health of many in developing countries. Life expectancy increased and child and maternal mortality rates decreased.

Common causes related to child and maternal mortality were reduced. But more is needed to completely eliminate a range of diseases and to deal with existing and new health issues.

Most importantly more people need better access to healthcare and qualified physicians. Together with improved sanitation and hygiene this will help in saving the lives of millions. At the same time, at a global level we need to be better prepared for health emergencies and invest in critical public health services.