jueves, 15 de octubre de 2015

Global Handwashing Day | Water Observances | Healthy Water | CDC

Every year, October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, an occasion to support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap, shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country, and raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.

Handwashing is simple, inexpensive, and can dramatically cut the number of young children who get sick. Handwashing with soap could prevent about 1 out of every 3 episodes of diarrheal illnesses and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infection like pneumonia.

Kids and adults around the world are raising awareness of the importance of clean hands in observance of Global Handwashing Day. You can join them in these ways:

Organize or participate in a handwashing event in your school or community; handwashing is important all year long!

Plan your event using the Global Handwashing Day Planner’s Guide.
See what your school can do, and gather materials.
Download Global Handwashing Day materials and planning tools.

Celebrate virtually on Twitter and Facebook. Look for and use the hashtag #GlobalHandwashingDay,download pre-drafted educational social media messages, and share CDC’s Global Handwashing Day digital button.
Make sure you and your family know when and how to wash your hands properly.

Healthy Schools, Healthy People: It's a SNAP!

You can also help promote handwashing by creating a handwashing campaign for your school community. CDC works with the American Cleaning Institute on the Healthy Schools, Healthy People, It's a SNAP! program. This program aims to improve hand hygiene habits in schools to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and reduce related absenteeism. Each year, schools are chosen for national recognition for outstanding student efforts to promote hand hygiene and infection control. Visit www.itsasnap.org to apply today!

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Learn more about how handwashing can keep you and others healthy, today and every day.

Global Handwashing Day

someone washing their hands under a running water

Overview

is an annual observance founded by the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap

1. This observance was created to raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap and shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing around the world. Since 2008, Global Handwashing Day has been celebrated annually on October 15 by over 200 million people in over 100 countries.

Handwashing is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. Handwashing is especially important during key times, such as after using the bathroom or before preparing food. You can learn more about when and how to wash your hands here.

Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Handwashing education in the community can:

Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 30% 2, 3
Reduce diarrheal illness in people with HIV by about 50%4
Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 20% 3

You can help promote Global Handwashing Day in your community with these resources and materials.

Visit the links below to learn more about Global Handwashing Day.