Spotlight on SDG 3 at the Mid-Term: A Bibliometric Network Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health
• Health Policy and Management

Background:

• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, have spurred significant academic interest in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Understanding the trajectory and landscape of SDG 3 research is crucial for guiding future efforts and identifying research gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the evolution, geographic distribution, collaboration patterns, and thematic areas of SDG 3 research from 2015 to 2023.
• To identify key players, collaboration dynamics, and emerging research fronts within the SDG 3 research landscape.
• To provide insights for researchers and policymakers on the global state of SDG 3 research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric network analysis of 10,676 Scopus-indexed publications (2015-2023).
• Cross-validation of country-level patterns using Web of Science data.
• Thematic mapping to identify principal research clusters.

Main Results:

• Sustained and accelerating growth in SDG 3 research, particularly post-2019.
• Research output and collaborations are concentrated in high-income countries (USA, UK); many LMICs are underrepresented.
• India acts as a key international collaborator; China shows strong collaboration and output.
• Four main research clusters identified: health systems/governance, sustainable development/well-being, healthcare innovation, and climate/ecosystem health risks.
• Emerging paradigms include One (Digital) Health, Circular Health, and HealthCare 5.0, indicating a shift towards integrative, sustainability-oriented health frameworks.

Conclusions:

• SDG 3 research is expanding, but global participation remains uneven, highlighting a need for greater inclusivity.
• The field is evolving towards interconnected, sustainability-focused health systems, integrating ecological, technological, and governance perspectives.
• Bibliometric insights can inform strategic research investments and policy development for achieving SDG 3.