Final answer:
Good sanitation refers to keeping places clean and healthy through effective water and waste management systems. It has a direct impact on preventing the spread of diseases, thereby improving public and environmental health, and supports sustainable development by providing significant economic returns. option a is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Good sanitation is fundamentally about maintaining practices that keep places clean and healthy. It is a vital public health concern that is intricately linked with the accessibility to safely managed drinking water sources and sanitation services. With 2.2 billion people lacking access to clean water, and over half the world's population without proper sanitation services, this issue has far-reaching impacts on health, particularly for children in underdeveloped areas.
Sanitation does not only involve the cleanliness of physical spaces but also encompasses the management of waste, ensuring that water sources are uncontaminated, and preventing the spread of disease. This is exemplified by the significant decrease in waterborne diseases, like cholera and typhoid fever, with the introduction of clean water systems and effective waste management. Moreover, Sanitation contributes enormously to the overall environmental health, preventing the pollution of waterways and lands.
Investments in improving water and sanitation systems yield substantial economic benefits, with a global average return of $5.5 for every dollar spent, indicating the profound impact of sanitation on both public health and sustainable development.
Based on the information provided, keeping places clean and healthy is the correct option that defines good sanitation.