Final answer:
Waterborne diseases arise from contaminated water due to inadequate water supply and poor sanitation, causing severe health issues and deaths. These diseases include diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, heavily impacting children and the economies of affected areas. Access to safe water and sanitation is a global challenge with significant health implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Waterborne Diseases and Poor Sanitation
Waterborne diseases are a significant consequence of inadequate water supply and poor sanitation. These illnesses stem from contaminated water containing pathogens such as protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. In areas without water treatment facilities, water sources can become polluted by sewage or animal waste. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid among populations using these sources for drinking water.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), waterborne diseases like diarrheal disease are responsible for nearly 1.8 million deaths annually. In fact, 88% of these diarrheal disease cases are linked to unsafe water supplies. Beyond individual health impacts, these diseases also place a heavy burden on the economies of affected countries, making it costly to manage and resolve outbreaks.
The absence of safe drinking water, coupled with inadequate sanitation, results in numerous health issues globally. Each year, contaminated water and poor sanitation lead to 5.4 billion cases of diarrhea worldwide, causing 1.6 million deaths, primarily in children under five. Intestinal worms, trachoma, malnutrition, anemia, and stunted growth are some of the health problems exacerbated by these conditions. UNICEF and the WHO have reported that 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than half of the global population lacks access to safe sanitation services, which is crucial for preventing these diseases.