As an NGO operating in consultative status with the United Nations, TruMerit recognizes the critical importance of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we continually leverage our expertise in health worker mobility, credential evaluation, and care model evolution to make a difference in the lives of patients and providers worldwide, it remains clear that Goal 3—“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”—is an undeniable imperative for global health. With the approach of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025, we reflect on the progress and collective efforts surrounding Goal 3 and on the path toward its fulfillment.
The United Nations has highlighted significant advancements in global health since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015. From combating disease to advancing universal health coverage and the promotion of equitable, people-centered health systems, the world has seen remarkable strides in improving health outcomes. There have been significant decreases in the maternal and neonatal mortality rates, the number of under-age-5 deaths, adolescent birth rates, deaths related to AIDS, and cases of neglected tropical diseases requiring intervention.
However, we also acknowledge persistent challenges in making larger strides toward Goal 3’s targets. The world is contending with unprecedented crises that impact physical and mental health, including climate change, ongoing armed conflicts, and lingering consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. A growing concern is the projected shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030, disproportionately affecting the global south.
Disparities in healthcare access are the greatest risk to health and well-being for all. To address this challenge, TruMerit engages in various initiatives to build up the global health workforce. One example is the Global Nursing Workforce Centre, which we created in partnership with the International Council of Nurses. Leveraging both organizations’ scope and expertise, the Centre examines and analyzes trends in nursing to highlight healthcare workforce challenges and point the way to solutions in areas such as professional development, scope of practice transformation, nurse migration, and workforce retention.
As we look to the future, it is vital that we maintain momentum toward achieving Goal 3 and continually evaluate the avenues to do so while adapting to an ever-changing global health landscape. The collaborative efforts among nations, healthcare organizations, and communities remind us of the power of collective action and the need for sustained funding and policy implementation.
The journey toward achieving healthy lives and promoting well-being for all is a shared responsibility. At TruMerit, we are proud to play a role in this vital movement, ensuring that every individual can lead a healthy, fulfilling life. With a mission to be a gateway to a world-class workforce delivering transformative healthcare, we tailor our provided resources and professional services to that end. Our streamlined credentials assessment, evaluation, and certification programs support career management and portability while our training and competency-based assessments support career-long development for healthcare professionals. Through research efforts and thought leadership, we support the evolving and advancing models of care that they engage in. Together, let us continue to strive for a future where equity, excellence, and advancement are the foundation of better health, prosperity, and resilience for communities everywhere.