SDG 3.2: Ending Preventable Deaths Among Newborns and Young Children
Every child deserves the chance to survive and thrive. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.2 focuses on preventing deaths among newborns and children under the age of five. It recognises that many of these deaths can be avoided through accessible, good-quality healthcare and support for families and communities.
What does SDG 3.2 aim to achieve?
SDG 3.2 calls on countries to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under five by 2030. It sets two specific benchmarks:
- Every country should aim to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- Every country should aim to reduce under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Neonatal mortality refers to deaths during the first 28 days of life. Under-five mortality measures deaths before a child’s fifth birthday. These benchmarks are global targets; countries may need to achieve even lower rates to meet the needs of their populations.
Why the first days and years matter
The period around birth is particularly important. Newborns can face serious risks from complications related to premature birth, problems during labour and delivery, and infections. As children grow, preventable or treatable conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria can also threaten their lives, especially where healthcare and essential resources are difficult to access.
A child’s chances of survival are shaped not only by medical care, but also by factors such as nutrition, clean water, sanitation, housing, education and household income. Progress towards SDG 3.2 therefore depends on action across health services and wider society.
What helps prevent these deaths?
Effective care begins before birth. Access to antenatal services can help identify health concerns, support pregnant people and prepare for safer deliveries. Skilled care during childbirth and timely emergency obstetric services can reduce risks for both parent and baby.
After birth, essential measures include early checks for newborns, support for breastfeeding, immunisation, good nutrition and prompt treatment when a child becomes ill. Community health services can help families recognise warning signs and reach care sooner. Clean water, sanitation and reliable access to medicines and health facilities are also vital.
Strong health systems are central to this work. They need trained staff, dependable supplies, accurate health information and services that are affordable and reachable. Care should be respectful and adapted to the needs of families, including those living in remote areas or facing poverty, conflict or discrimination.
Addressing inequalities
Child survival rates can vary widely within a country. Children in poorer households, rural communities and crisis-affected areas may face greater barriers to healthcare. Discrimination and gaps in services can leave some groups behind.
Meeting SDG 3.2 requires more than improving national averages. Governments and health organisations need reliable data to identify which communities face the greatest risks, understand why those risks persist and direct support where it is most needed. Progress should be measured fairly, with attention to differences between regions and groups.
A shared responsibility
Reducing preventable deaths among newborns and young children is achievable, but it requires sustained investment and cooperation. Governments, healthcare workers, communities, international organisations and families all have a role to play. By strengthening essential care and tackling the conditions that put children at risk, countries can move closer to the promise of SDG 3.2: giving every child a healthier start in life.
Six Ways to Help Every Child Survive and Thrive: Supporting SDG 3.2
- Support regular antenatal care for every pregnancy.
- Ensure births are attended by skilled health professionals.
- Provide newborn checks and vaccinations on time.
- Promote breastfeeding and good infant nutrition.
- Seek prompt care when a child is seriously unwell.
- Improve access to clean water, sanitation and essential medicines.
Support regular antenatal care for every pregnancy.
Supporting regular antenatal care helps give every pregnancy a safer start. Routine appointments allow healthcare professionals to monitor the health of the pregnant person and baby, identify potential complications early, provide vaccinations and guidance, and connect families with further support when needed. Making these services accessible, affordable and respectful—including for people in remote or underserved communities—can reduce preventable risks around birth and contribute to SDG 3.2’s goal of ending preventable deaths among newborns and children under five.
Ensure births are attended by skilled health professionals.
Ensuring that every birth is attended by a skilled health professional is a vital step towards achieving SDG 3.2 and preventing avoidable deaths among mothers and newborns. Trained midwives, doctors and nurses can monitor labour, respond quickly to complications and provide essential care immediately after birth. Making this support available to every family—including those in remote or underserved communities—helps give newborns a safer start in life.
Provide newborn checks and vaccinations on time.
Providing newborn checks and vaccinations on time can help protect babies during the period when they are most vulnerable. Early health checks allow healthcare professionals to spot concerns, support feeding and growth, and guide families on caring for their baby. Vaccinations help prevent serious infectious diseases, while keeping to the recommended schedule offers protection as early as possible. Making these services accessible to every family is an important step towards SDG 3.2 and ending preventable deaths among newborns and young children.
Promote breastfeeding and good infant nutrition.
Promoting breastfeeding and good infant nutrition can give babies a healthier start and help reduce preventable illness and deaths. Breastfeeding provides essential nutrients and protection against infections, while appropriate complementary foods introduced at around six months support a child’s continued growth and development. Families need clear, practical guidance and support from trained health workers, alongside access to safe, nutritious food and clean water. These measures contribute to SDG 3.2 by helping newborns and young children survive and thrive.
Seek prompt care when a child is seriously unwell.
If a child is seriously unwell, seek medical care promptly rather than waiting to see if they improve. Difficulty breathing, being unusually drowsy or hard to wake, seizures, severe dehydration or a rapidly worsening condition can signal an emergency. Contact your local emergency service or take the child to an appropriate health facility, and follow advice from a qualified health professional. Acting quickly can help children receive the treatment they need and supports SDG 3.2’s aim of preventing avoidable deaths among children under five.
Improve access to clean water, sanitation and essential medicines.
Improving access to clean water, safe sanitation and essential medicines is vital to SDG 3.2 because it helps prevent infections and illnesses that can be especially dangerous for newborns and young children. Safe water and good hygiene reduce the spread of disease, while reliable supplies of affordable medicines enable families and healthcare workers to treat health problems promptly. Strengthening these essential services, particularly in underserved communities, can give more children a healthier start in life and help prevent avoidable deaths.