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Global access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease, leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development. However, many countries are challenged to provide these basic necessities to their populations, leaving people at risk for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. CDC programs such as the Safe Water System can empower communities to improve their water by using household treatment options.

Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Topics

Community Systems

Water Safety Plans, Assessment and Development...

Sanitation & Hygiene

Toilets & Latrines, Hygiene, Sewer & Wastewater...

CDC’s Global WASH Expertise

Global WASH CDC Programs, Global WASH CDC Projects...

Diseases & Contaminants

Waterborne, Sanitation and Hygiene-related...

Household Treatment

Safe Water System, Safe Storage...

Travelers' Health

Safe Drinking & Recreational Water, Injury & Illness...

Resources & Publications

Websites, Publications...


Global Water Fast Facts

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Global WASH Health Burden

Photo of a contaminated watering hole

Water is considered to be the most important resource for sustaining ecosystems, which provide life-supporting services for people, animals, and plants. Because contaminated water is a major cause of illness and death, water quality is a determining factor in human poverty, education, and economic opportunities.

Unfortunately, worldwide water quality is declining, threatening the health of ecosystems and humans worldwide. Various factors influence this deterioration, including population growth, rapid urbanization, land use, industrial discharge of chemicals, and factors resulting from climate change.

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References

* An improved water source is defined as water that is supplied through a household connection, public standpipe, borehole well, protected dug well, protected spring, or rainwater collection.


  1. Prüss-Üstün A., Bos, R., Gore, F. & Bartram, J. 2008. Safer water, better health: costs, benefits and sustainability of interventions to protect and promote health. World Health Organization, Geneva. Available at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241596435_eng.pdf [PDF - 2.63 mb]
  2. World Health Organization and UNICEF. Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation – Special Focus on Sanitation. Available at http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/jmp2008/en/index.html.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau. International Programs Center: Population Clocks. Available at http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/.
  4. Cutler, D., G. Miller, 2004. The role of public health improvements in health advances: the 20th century United States. National Bureau of Economic Research. Working Paper 10511. Cambridge, MA, USA. Available at http://www.nber.org/papers/w10511.pdf [PDF - 1.1 mb]
  5. Hutton G, L Haller, J Bartram. 2007. Global cost-benefit analysis of water supply and sanitation interventions. J Water Health 2007:5.4;481-502.
  6. World Health Organization. Neglected Tropical Diseases, Hidden Successes, Emerging Opportunities. Available at http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2006/WHO_CDS_NTD_2006.2_eng.pdf [PDF - 1.39 mb].
 

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