Notifications
Clear all
Sanitation and Public Health
3
Posts
3
Users
0
Reactions
76
Views
Topic starter
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is fundamentally associated with the health and well-being of humans, dignity, and contributes to creating resilient communities by living in healthy environments (1). Based on a One Health approach to WASH, there is interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health; an integrated approach to shared threats like pathogens and pollutants in water systems provides holistic solutions: better management of land, resilient infrastructure, and more efficient agricultural practices that avoid the spread of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and waterborne diseases and improve overall well-being beyond just human health (2).
Despite its importance, access to adequate WASH services is constrained in most low and middle-income countries. Good hygiene cannot be attained with restricted access to safe water and sanitation. In countries with low and middle incomes, 60% of deaths flow from diarrhoea, of which 35%, 31% and 12% are due to unsafe drinking water, open defecation or poor sanitation and poor hygiene, respectively. However, 9% of deaths resulting from diarrhoea are linked to inadequate hygiene in high-income countries (3).
The One Health perspective in WASH requires urgent attention to conduct further research and intervention in the human-animal interface to prevent and control the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The sanitation and hygiene program from the perspective of One Health is highly recommended for areas with a higher population in terms of human-animal density (4).
References:
- World. (2019, November 7). Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //www.who.int/health-topics/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash#tab=tab_1
- FAO: One Health approach can advance public health through better water management. (2025, November 14). FAORegionalOffice-Europe-REU; FAO. //www.fao.org/europe/news/detail/fao--one-health-approach-can-advance-public-health-through-better-water-management/en#:~:text=The%20One%20Health%20approach%20is%20an%20integrated,investments%20in%20climate%2Dresilient%20and%20low%2Dpollution%20water%20systems
- Prüss-Ustün, A., Wolf, J., Bartram, J., Clasen, T., Cumming, O., Freeman, M. C., Gordon, B., Hunter, P. R., Medlicott, K., & Johnston, R. (2019). Burden of disease from inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene for selected adverse health outcomes: An updated analysis with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 222(5), 765–777. //doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.05.004
- Sandul Yasobnat, Ravina Tadvi, Patel, K., & Saxena, D. (2022). Water, sanitation and hygiene from One Health perspective. One Health Bulletin, 2(1), 10–10. //doi.org/10.4103/2773-0344.350691
Posted : January 12, 2026 7:38 pm
The One Health approach highlights how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) link human health, animal health and the environment. Unsafe water and poor sanitation can contaminate soil and water bodies, allowing disease-causing organisms to spread between animals and humans. This increases the risk of diarrheal diseases and environmental degradation, especially in vulnerable communities.
Strengthening WASH systems—such as safe water supply, proper waste management, and hand hygiene—helps break disease transmission at the human–animal–environment interface. When WASH is planned using a One Health lens, it promotes coordination between health, veterinary, and environmental sectors, leading to healthier populations and more sustainable ecosystems.
References:
- World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). One Health. WHO.
- World Bank. (2018). One Health: Operational framework for strengthening human, animal, and environmental health systems. World Bank.
- UNICEF & World Health Organization. (2023). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme.
Posted : January 22, 2026 3:39 pm
The One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) defines “One Health as an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems(Yasobnat et al., 2022). There is increasing awareness that exposure to animal faeces contributes to the global burden of diarrheal disease, as well as other zoonotic diseases. This recognition has prompted a re-evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to address animal-related transmission pathways. However, current efforts focus primarily on animal faeces within household environments, neglecting other critical human-animal interactions that favour contamination such as animal handling(Dickin et al., 2025).
In many LMICs, humans and animals share the same living spaces and water sources, making it impossible to improve human health without addressing animal waste. ecological sanitation (EcoSan) can turn both human and animal waste into safe fertilizers, improving soil health (environmental) and food security (human/animal). Women and children often have the highest exposure to zoonotic pathogens (like Campylobacter or Cryptosporidium) due to their roles in caring for small livestock (poultry/goats) and domestic hygiene. WASH infrastructure in areas with high livestock density creates a "perfect storm" for AMR. animal-sensitive WASH" (e.g., corralling animals, safe disposal of birthing products, and protecting water points) is a form of environmental biosecurity that reduces the need for antibiotics in both humans and animals by preventing infection at the source.
Major challenge is , interventions to address disease transmission such as separating animal and human living environments or limiting types of animals raised must also consider the implications for livelihoods, nutrition and food security as livestock ownership is seen as a form of wealth and status, as well as an alternate source of income in emergencies (Dickin et al., 2025)
To address this issue,
-
Integrate animal waste management into national sanitation strategies.
-
Monitor shared environments (water/soil) for pathogens and AMR markers.
-
Collaborate across sectors (veterinary, medical, environmental, and engineering) to move from a human-centric "toilet" focus to a planetary-centric "waste management" focus.
(Dickin et al., 2025)
Reference
//doi.org/10.4103/2773-0344.350691 " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yasobnat, S., Tadvi, R., Patel, K., & Saxena, D. (2022). Water, sanitation and hygiene from One Health perspective. One Health Bulletin, 2(1), 10. //doi.org/10.4103/2773-0344.350691
//doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000376 " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dickin, S., Dagerskog, L., Dione, M., Thomas, L., & Arcilla, J. (2025). Towards a one health approach to WASH to tackle zoonotic disease and promote health and wellbeing. PLOS Water, 4(5), e0000376. //doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000376
Posted : February 2, 2026 12:04 pm