Health and population

Health and population dynamics are intertwined, embodying an intricate relationship with significant implications on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Health is fundamentally at the center of these 17 global goals, aimed to transform the world by 2030. Specifically, Goal 3 endeavors to "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." It acknowledges that health is pivotal to human life quality, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Inextricably linked to this are the complexities of population dynamics, including growth rates, age structure, fertility and mortality rates, and migration patterns.

With the world's population projected to exceed 9.7 billion by 2050, the pressure on health systems will undoubtedly escalate. The demographic transition, with an aging population and an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, poses new challenges for health systems globally. Additionally, areas with high fertility rates often overlap with extreme poverty, resulting in heightened health risks, including higher maternal and child mortality rates, malnutrition, and infectious diseases.

Moreover, rapid urbanization and migration present both opportunities and threats to health. While urban areas may provide better access to healthcare, they also harbor risks of disease transmission, air and water pollution, and social determinants of health like inadequate housing and social inequality. Simultaneously, migrants often face disproportionate health risks due to unstable living conditions, exploitation, and limited access to healthcare services.

Achieving the SDGs will necessitate comprehensive approaches that consider the intricate interplay of health and population dynamics. It means strengthening health systems, promoting universal health coverage, and addressing social determinants of health. It also implies crafting policies that recognize demographic realities and foster an environment conducive to sustainable development. Only by understanding and harnessing these dynamics can the world meaningfully progress towards realizing the SDGs, ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.

The study found that premature mortality risk is highest among individuals with both low income and high-risk health behaviors, with a clear income gradient observed across all risk factor levels. These results emphasize the importance of targeted public health strategies and resource allocation to lower-income groups to reduce health inequities and prevent premature deaths.

World Tuberculosis Day 2026: A Global Call to Action

March 24th, 2026

Each year, World Tuberculosis Day is observed on March 24th, a day of significance marking Dr. Robert Koch's groundbreaking announcement in 1882 of the discovery of the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis (TB). This discovery was a pivotal moment in the medical field, leading to the development of diagnostic methods and treatments for this devastating disease.

The Significance of World Tuberculosis Day

This Viewpoint supports SDGs 3 and 10 by examining how structural ableism denies disabled people equitable access to health care, and discussing the principles by which it could be reduced.
This article examines the association between the Chinese version of the MIND diet (cMIND) and cognitive impairment in older Chinese adults. The study found that higher adherence to the cMIND diet was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment.
This cohort study found that decreasing the consumption of overall and healthful plant-based di was associated with a higher risk of total mortality, whereas decreasing the consumption of an unhealthful plant-based diet was associated with a lower risk of total mortality in older adults.
Presentation of a data-driven, personalized nutrition risk assessment algorithm that utilizes food frequency questionnaires to identify dietary diversity clusters and examine their associations with health outcomes among middle-aged and older individuals in Taiwan. The study identified four dietary diversity clusters and found that the "most diverse" cluster had lower risks of developing hypertension, diabetes, and mortality compared to the "least diverse".
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is responsible for 10% of cases of hepatitis in adults, and 13–17% of cases of fulminant hepatitis. The article proposes a way forward and roadmap to prioritize DILI research and clinical science.
This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by focusing on neurorehabilitation as a means to facilitate recovery from nervous system damage and enhance functional independence for individuals affected by conditions such as stroke or brain trauma. By incorporating advanced assistive technologies and machine learning into rehabilitation practices, the chapter highlights innovative approaches that can improve the effectiveness of interventions, ultimately promoting better health outcomes and quality of life for patients. Additionally, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by emphasizing the importance of accessible and adaptive technologies that provide all individuals, regardless of their disabilities or socioeconomic status, with the tools necessary to achieve greater independence and participate fully in society.
This Personal View supprts SDGs 3 and 10 by discussing the multifaceted approach and the various stakeholder involvement needed for the expansion of access to new antibiotics while balancing with the prevention of excessive use
This Series paper supports SDGs 3 and 10 by describing health-care coverage and quality across the four countries, quantifying inequalities in these outcomes by socioeconomic status within country, and assessing the contribution of government, social security, and private health sectors to observed inequality.

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