Why Soap?
You might be surprised to learn that the leading causes of death for children in developing countries are hygiene-related illnesses, which claim more than 1.8 million lives each year. That’s nearly one-third of all child deaths.
In Lao, the annual estimate for infant mortality is 5,000 deaths.
Handwashing with soap is the single most effective way to prevent those deaths. In fact, soap is more effective than vaccines, medications, or clean water initiatives alone. Research has shown that soap can reduce diarrheal disease by nearly one-half and rates of respiratory infection by about one-quarter. Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved each year if people had ongoing access to soap and understood how to properly wash their hands.
In Lao, the annual estimate for infant mortality is 5,000 deaths.
Handwashing with soap is the single most effective way to prevent those deaths. In fact, soap is more effective than vaccines, medications, or clean water initiatives alone. Research has shown that soap can reduce diarrheal disease by nearly one-half and rates of respiratory infection by about one-quarter. Hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved each year if people had ongoing access to soap and understood how to properly wash their hands.
Health Statistics
Diarrheal diseases kill approximately 1.8 million people per year. Among infection diseases, diarrhea ranks as the third leading cause of mortality and morbidity, after respiratory infections and HIV/AIDS (The Cochrane Collaborations (2010) Interventions to improve disposal of human excreta for preventing diarrhea (Review) p. 5 John Wiley & Sons)
Globally, approximately 2.5 billion cases of diarrhea occur among children under five years old every year. About 80% of those cases are in Africa and South Asia. (UNICEF/WHO (2009) Diarrhea: Why children are still dying and what can be done August 2012)
Diarrhea is the second most common killer of children under five globally, and as of 2010 it is the most common killer five children under 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is higher than the number of deaths caused by AIDS, malaria and measles COMBINED. (Black RE, Cousens S, Johnson H L et al. Global, regional and national cases of child mortality in 2008: a systematic analysis Lancet 375 p.969-87)
Nearly one in 5 child deaths is due to diarrhea, about 1.5 million lives lost every year.
Diarrheal diseases also contribute to malnutrition, stunted growth, burden in healthcare costs and time lost at school or work.
Research studies have demonstrated that the risk of diarrhea can be reduced 44-47% through handwashing interventions (Curtis V. and S. Cairncross Effect of washing hands with soap on diarrhea risk in the community: a systematic review Lancet Infectious Diseases 2003 p. 275-81)
Promotion of handwashing with soap has been shown to reduce the risk of acute respiratory infection in children <5 in half (Luby, S.P. et al Effect of Handwashing on Child Health: a randomized controlled trial Lancet 2005366(9481) p. 225-233)
Though less studied, face and body washing reduce the risk of trachoma and skin infections.
Handwashing promotion campaigns are increasingly being implemented as part of an effort to improve child survival.
Globally, approximately 2.5 billion cases of diarrhea occur among children under five years old every year. About 80% of those cases are in Africa and South Asia. (UNICEF/WHO (2009) Diarrhea: Why children are still dying and what can be done August 2012)
Diarrhea is the second most common killer of children under five globally, and as of 2010 it is the most common killer five children under 5 in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is higher than the number of deaths caused by AIDS, malaria and measles COMBINED. (Black RE, Cousens S, Johnson H L et al. Global, regional and national cases of child mortality in 2008: a systematic analysis Lancet 375 p.969-87)
Nearly one in 5 child deaths is due to diarrhea, about 1.5 million lives lost every year.
Diarrheal diseases also contribute to malnutrition, stunted growth, burden in healthcare costs and time lost at school or work.
Research studies have demonstrated that the risk of diarrhea can be reduced 44-47% through handwashing interventions (Curtis V. and S. Cairncross Effect of washing hands with soap on diarrhea risk in the community: a systematic review Lancet Infectious Diseases 2003 p. 275-81)
Promotion of handwashing with soap has been shown to reduce the risk of acute respiratory infection in children <5 in half (Luby, S.P. et al Effect of Handwashing on Child Health: a randomized controlled trial Lancet 2005366(9481) p. 225-233)
Though less studied, face and body washing reduce the risk of trachoma and skin infections.
Handwashing promotion campaigns are increasingly being implemented as part of an effort to improve child survival.