Statement from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene on World Water Day 2013:

March 22, 2013 — "Today, on World Water Day, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene stands with colleagues and partners to reflect on the life-sustaining role water plays in our world. Access to clean water and sanitation are among our members’ chief concerns – as noted in the Society’s name.

While clean water is readily available in the West, approximately 780 million people worldwide – or about two and a half times the population of the United States – lack access to potable water. Diarrheal disease – often caused by contact with contaminated water – kills about 1.5 million children each year. Though it is treatable and preventable, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old. Cholera, which can kill both adults and children within hours, kills more than 100,000 people each year. In addition, water-borne diseases do not only pose a threat to people who live in the developing world. A recent study in the Society’s journal identified Typhoid fever as one of the most common conditions affecting Westerners who travel to the tropics.

The theme of this year’s World Water Day is water cooperation. In our interconnected world, it is clear that the availability and efficient use of clean water is everyone’s concern. ASTMH, along with our partners, will continue to actively work towards the goal of global clean water access."