Mission: Providing expertise and interventions aimed at saving lives and reducing illness by improving global access to healthy and safe water, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene.
Our Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Epidemiology Team is focused in six areas:
CDC staff reviewing patient charts during the cholera epidemic in Haiti
Implements the CDC-developed Safe Water System, through linkages with antenatal care clinics, schools, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) HIV/AIDS programs, community-based programs, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, and faith-based programs
Employs behavior change strategies, such as teaching healthy behaviors and promoting their adoption through social marketing and community mobilization
Examines the health benefits of proper use of water for hygiene, as well as for preparation of foods and beverages
Investigates outbreaks in collaboration with international partners, such as Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization, and other CDC programs
Works with CDC’s Global Immunization Division and external partners, including UN Agencies and Ministries of Health, to optimize integration of vaccines against cholera and typhoid fever into outbreak response and prevention of endemic disease
Studies the associations between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and waterborne diseases (including soil-transmitted helminths and other neglected tropical diseases [NTDs], diarrhea, and respiratory illness) through the WASH Away NTDs Activity, which aims to better integrate WASH interventions with disease prevention programs
Develops model programs and materials for public health staff training and community health promotion
