WASH and health: from global estimates to whys and hows

Abstract

New, relevant studies have been published, improving our understanding of the extent to which different interventions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can reduce childhood diarrhoea 1 Wolf J Hubbard S Brauer M et al. Effectiveness of interventions to improve drinking water, sanitation, and handwashing with soap on risk of diarrhoeal disease in children in low-income and middle-income settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2022; 400: 48-59 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar and the burden of a series of health outcomes. 2 Wolf J Johnston RB Ambelu A et al. Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in domestic settings: a global analysis for selected adverse health outcomes. Lancet. 2023; (published online June 5.)https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)00458-0 Google Scholar These efforts provide figures that can inform public policies, support advocacy for these essential needs and human rights, and promote the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Burden of disease attributable to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in domestic settings: a global analysis for selected adverse health outcomesWASH-attributable burden of disease estimates based on the levels of service established under the SDG framework show that progress towards the internationally agreed goal of safely managed WASH services for all would yield major public-health returns. Full-Text PDF Open Access