Focusing on improved water and sanitation for health

A recent cost-benefit analysis by WHO4 showed that achieving the global MDG target in water and sanitation would bring substantial economic gains from both health and other benefits: each US$1 invested would yield an economic return of between $3 and $34, depending on region. The benefits would incl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lancet (British edition) 2005-02, Vol.365 (9461), p.810
Main Authors: Bartram, Jamie, Lewis, Kristen, Lenton, Roberto, Wright, Albert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cost benefit analysis
Drinking water
Economics
Hygiene
Public health
Public safety
Sanitation
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:A recent cost-benefit analysis by WHO4 showed that achieving the global MDG target in water and sanitation would bring substantial economic gains from both health and other benefits: each US$1 invested would yield an economic return of between $3 and $34, depending on region. The benefits would include an average global reduction of diarrhoeal episodes of around 10%. If the goal for water and sanitation were met, the health-related costs avoided would reach $7.3 billion per year, and the annual global value of adult working days gained as a result of less illness would be almost $750 million. Improvement in sanitation, hygiene, and water contributes to improved health, generates savings for households and national health budgets, and contributes to poor households' economies through reduced costs and losses of time. Saving time may enable productive activity and school attendance, especially for girls. Investment in water and sanitation-whether through development assistance at the national or community levels, or by poor households themselves-makes sound economic sense.
ISSN:0140-6736
1474-547X
DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17991-4