Study Highlights Critical Role of WASH in Reducing Cholera Burden in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The study published in Global Transitions reveals the critical role of drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in shaping the cholera burden across 89 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017. Findings indicate that improved WASH facilities, such as piped water, have protective effects against cholera, whereas unimproved facilities, like open defecation, exacerbate the risk. This research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) and the Global Task Force on Cholera Control's (GTFCC) strategy to reduce cholera-related deaths by 90% by 2030.

Wanqi Wen from Sun Yat-sen University, the study's first author, emphasizes that safe WASH is essential for the long-term prevention and control of cholera. The study also highlights regional disparities in WASH access contributing to unequal cholera burdens, with Sub-Saharan Africa facing the highest attributable burden due to unimproved drinking water. Corresponding author Hualiang Lin points out the necessity for targeted, local-level control approaches to achieve the GTFCC's 2030 Roadmap goals.

The research provides actionable insights for implementing UN SDG 6 and scaling up safe WASH access, which is deemed crucial for eliminating cholera globally. The study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China and published with a DOI 10.1016/j.glt.2025.06.001.