Howard, G, Bartram, J orcid.org/0000-0002-6542-6315, Brocklehurst, C et al. (10 more authors) (2020) Covid-19: Urgent actions, critical reflections and future relevance of “WaSH”: Lessons for the current and future pandemics. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 10 (3). washdev202. pp. 379-396. ISSN 2043-9083
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic placed hygiene at the centre of disease prevention. Yet, access to the levels of water supply that support good hand hygiene and institutional cleaning, our understanding of hygiene behaviours, and access to soap are deficient in low-, middle- and high-income countries. This paper reviews the role of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in disease emergence, previous outbreaks, combatting COVID-19 and in preparing for future pandemics. We consider settings where these factors are particularly important and identify key preventive contributions to disease control and gaps in the evidence base. Urgent substantial action is required to remedy deficiencies in WaSH, particularly the provision of reliable, continuous piped water on-premises for all households and settings. Hygiene promotion programmes, underpinned by behavioural science, must be adapted to high-risk populations (such as the elderly and marginalised) and settings (such as healthcare facilities, transport hubs and workplaces). WaSH must be better integrated into preparation plans and with other sectors in prevention efforts. More finance and better use of financing instruments would extend and improve WaSH services. The lessons outlined justify no-regrets investment by government during recovery from the current pandemic to improve day-to-day lives and as preparedness for future pandemics.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 The Authors. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY 4.0), which permits copying, adaptation and redistribution, provided the original work is properly cited (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 13 Jul 2020 14:25 |
Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2023 22:20 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IWA Publishing |
Identification Number: | 10.2166/washdev.2020.218 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:163150 |