GLOBAL HANDWASH DAY: UNITE FOR UNIVERSAL HAND HYGIENE
October 15 is annual global handwashing day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
This year, the theme “unite for universal hand hygiene” focuses on the links between handwashing and food including food hygiene and nutrition. Handwashing is an important part of keeping food safe, preventing diseases and helping children grow strong. Cleaning of hands is a recipe for good health and a reminder to make handwashing a part of every meal.
Here are ways to make a difference in your health and of other people
Wash your hands with soap at critical times, especially before eating, cooking, or feeding others.
Model good handwashing behavior, and remind or help others to always wash their hands before eating.
Make handwashing a crucial part of your family meals.
Establish places to wash your hands in the household, in your community, in schools, workplaces, and in health facilities.
Wash your hand with soap and water anytime you touch any dirty thing.
Promote effective handwashing behavior, research, advocacy, policies and programs.
Facts about hand washing
Many germs that can make people sick are spread when we do not wash our hands with soap and clean, running water.
Handwashing is so important, especially at key times such as after using the toilet bathroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive and it can significantly reduce the number of young children and adults who get sick.
Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy.
Center for disease control says that handwashing awareness can:
Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23%–40%
Reduce the number of school days children missed because of gastrointestinal illness by 29%–57%
Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by about 58%
Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16%–21%
