The principal objective of the Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation is to eliminate leprosy. The foundation has been an invaluable aid in the development of an effective cure, Multi Drug Therapy. In addition to improving the health and welfare of those affected by the disease, it has also been active in supporting social education programs that aim to eliminate discrimination. In this way, the foundation helps people formerly affected by leprosy to resume active roles in society. It collaborates with governments, international agencies such as the World Health Organization, and with non-governmental organizations, devising and executing plans for the global elimination of leprosy.

In addition, the Foundation addresses many other health problems that threaten the well-being of humankind. For example, it has been active in working to implement parasitic disease control into other health programs such as family planning; providing cancer testing for 160,000 children in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown; and running a medical scholarship program through which select medical personnel from China come to Japan to learn the latest medical practices.