Water, sanitation and hygiene

Several eminent international researchers with extensive experience in water, sanitation and hygiene programs (WSH) in around the world have written a series of four articles, calling for a new level of engagement and advocacy by the health sector to address this pressing issue.*

They note that while tuberculosis, malaria and HIV/AIDS are generally perceived as the three most high profile issues for the international public health community, diarrhoeal illness still kills more young children each year than these three diseases combined.

Economic analysis shows that the direct and indirect benefits of addressing WSH needs in developing countries far exceeds the costs, but the priority given to these issues and the level of investment in improving the situation remains inadequate.

Read more about this in issue 61 of WQRA's public health newsletter HealthStream. The reference for the papers discussed is included below.

*These papers were published in PLoS Medicine 11(7) (November 16) 2010.
- Hygiene, Sanitation, and Water: Forgotten Foundations of Health. Bartram J and Cairncross S. doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000367
- Water Supply and Health. Hunter PR, MacDonald AM, Carter RC. doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000361
- Sanitation and Health. Mara D, Lane J, Scott B and Trouba D. doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000363
- Hygiene, Sanitation, and Water: What Needs to Be Done? Cairncross S, Bartram J, Cumming O, Brocklehurst C. doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000365