Water, sanitation, hygiene and health - Policy brief (2020)

Water and sanitation are central to human life, health, well-being, dignity and sustainable development. Why water, sanitation and hygiene matter:

• Hand hygiene is the most effective no-regret action to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases
• Universal and equitable access to safe drinkingwater and adequate sanitation are basic human rights
• Improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health-care facilities is a core component for ensuring quality of care and achieving universal health coverage
• Improving WASH in schools contributes to health, wellbeing and better learning opportunities for children.