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The Health Benefits of Water and Sanitation
Studies show that improvements to sanitation and hygiene have the following impact:
- Improved Sanitation can reduce episodes of diarrhea by up to 40%, deaths by up to 60% and child stunting by up to 50%.
- The simple act of washing hands at critical times (after using the toilet, after handling infant faces and before handling or eating food) can reduce diarrhea episodes by up to 33%.
- Food hygiene can reduce diarrhea episodes by up to 70%.
- Convenient access to safe water alone can reduce episodes of diarrhea by up to 15%
When these components are fully integrated and strategically programmed with other key sectors such as health and education, the overall benefits and impact can be significant.
A Framework for Action on Water and Sanitation (WSSD-2002).
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