the sad reality that kills millions

Access to quality basic sanitation is still not a reality for the entire world population. Half of the population still does not have access to potable water for consumption and hygiene. Expanding these resources could prevent at least 1.4 million deaths and 74 million disability-adjusted life years, according to the most recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and an article published in the scientific journal The Lancet with data from the year 2019.

With the growing health risks related to the Wash (the term in English that refers to water, sanitation and hygiene), such as the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, the resurgence of cholera outbreaks and the possible long-term threats of climate change. Stronger investment is needed than ever before, comments Maria Neira, director of the WHO’s Environment, Climate Change and Health department.

_{Photo: Washing your hands properly prevents illness. (Reproduction: Saneamento Já website)}

The director also states that improvements have been seen in the WASH service in the last 10 years, however progress is still uneven and insufficient.

The report also addresses estimates of the burden of diseases associated with precarious conditions of water supply and hygiene, considering the 183 countries. The data are also based on four health outcomes such as: acute respiratory infections, malnutrition, diarrhea and soil-transmitted helminthiasis.

Diarrheal disease was the main culprit, contributing to more than one million deaths and 55 million disability-adjusted life years. Coming in second are acute respiratory infections that are a result of inadequate hand hygiene, or poor hygiene, which have been associated with 356,000 deaths.

Among children under five years of age, 395,000 deaths were attributable to water and sanitation insecurity, representing 7.6% of all deaths in this age group. The report’s information also included 273,000 lives lost to diarrhea and 112,000 deaths from respiratory infections. The two diseases are the leading infectious causes of death for children under five worldwide.

Featured Photo: Lack of basic sanitation is a worldwide problem. Reproduction/koosen/Shutterstock.com