Handwashing with soap is an easy, effective, and affordable do-it-yourself protection that prevents infections and saves lives.

Diarrhea and pneumonia are leading causes of death for children under the age of five. Handwashing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent these diseases. This simple behavior can save lives, cutting diarrhea by almost one-half and acute respiratory infections by nearly one-quarter. Handwashing with soap impacts not just health and nutrition, but also education, economics, and equity. You can learn about the role handwashing plays in each of these areas by clicking the tabs above.