Towards the first generation free of child labour

An integrated and interdependent analysis of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in relation to Target 8.7

3. Good health and well-being

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality.

Major progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, many more efforts are needed to fully eradicate a wide range of diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health issues.

Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being, which requires action on child labour, especially its most dangerous forms. The World Health Organization warns on its website that the harm that children suffer as a result of child labour not only has short-term health effects, but also extends to and sometimes only becomes visible in adult life.