Waterborne Diseases | Community Health

Waterborne diseases are a major public health concern, causing millions of illnesses and deaths worldwide each year. These diseases are caused by pathogenic micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic worms, that are transmitted through contaminated water. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every year, 3.4 million people die from waterborne diseases, with the majority being children under the age of 15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reports that waterborne diseases are a significant concern in the United States, with outbreaks occurring regularly. For example, in 2019, a waterborne disease outbreak in [[florida|Florida]] affected over 1,000 people, highlighting the need for improved water treatment and sanitation infrastructure. The economic burden of waterborne diseases is also significant, with the World Bank estimating that the annual cost of waterborne diseases in developing countries is over $12 billion. To combat this issue, organizations such as the [[world-health-organization|World Health Organization]] and the [[unicef|UNICEF]] are working to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, particularly in developing countries.