10 facts on tackling neglected tropical diseases with water, sanitation and hygiene.

Millions of people around the world lack safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). This puts them at-risk from many diseases, including 16 of the 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people in 149 countries. Beyond prevention, WASH services are also critical to care for the people who have many of these diseases.

In August 2015, WHO published “Water, sanitation and hygiene for accelerating and sustaining progress on neglected tropical diseases: A Global Strategy 2015-2020". The Strategy aims to increase access to WASH, and to support efforts to combat NTDs.

This fact file (August 2015) looks at the importance of WASH for preventing and caring for neglected tropical diseases.