Global Handwashing Day
Global Hand Washing Day is a way 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.1 Since 2008, Global Handwashing Day has been celebrated annually on October 15 worldwide. The Global Handwashing Day encourages school children, teachers, and families to get involved.
Handwashing Saves Lives
Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands because soap and water for handwashing might be less accessible in developing countries. Even when soap is available, it might be reserved primarily for laundry and bathing instead of for handwashing. Washing hands with soap removes germs much more effectively.2
- Millions of children 5 under the age of 5 years die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world.3
- Handwashing is not only simple and inexpensive, but remarkably, handwashing with soap 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 illnesses4 and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infection like pneumonia.5
Celebrate Global Handwashing Day
People and communities around the world will celebrate Global Handwashing day in many ways, including:
- Making songs and dances about handwashing
- Distributing activity sheets with activities for children to help make learning to wash hands fun
- Handwashing lessons, events, and materials for thousands of students across Georgia, where CDC is based
You Can Celebrate Global Handwashing Day in Many Ways
- Organize or participate in a Global Handwashing Day event in your school or community
- 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, and download pre-drafted educational social media messages
- Make sure you and your family know when and how to wash your hands properly
For more information on handwashing, please visit CDC's Handwashing website. You can also call 1-800-CDC-INFO, or email cdcinfo@cdc.gov for answers to specific questions.
Oct 16, 2015
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