GHP Partner Profile: Defeating Diarrheal Diseases with DefeatDD
August 29, 2017
By Hope Randall, Digital Communications Officer for PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access
The Defeat Diarrheal Disease Initiative (DefeatDD) is housed within PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access and run by a small group of communicators affectionately known as the Poo Crew. Our mission: to inspire our community of advocates and generate greater attention to diarrheal disease, a leading cause of death and suffering among children in poor countries.
Diarrhea is a multifaceted issue, and an integrated approach is our rallying cry. We use our digital presence to convene diverse stakeholders and encourage collaboration among advocacy sectors and areas of technical expertise, including vaccines, WASH, oral rehydration solution (ORS) and zinc; breastfeeding, nutrition, and drug development.
The solutions to defeat diarrhea work together—dare we say—seamlessly. Get looped into the movement!
Along with providing advocacy resources (don’t miss our video series on efforts to defeat diarrhea in India), we elevate the issue of diarrheal disease and integrated solutions in a variety of ways:
- DefeatDD’s social media campaigns break the poo taboo by inspiring creative conversations about diarrheal disease among various partners. Poo haiku is a fan favorite.
- We partner with other stakeholders and coalitions on community messages, materials, and campaigns during key annual global observance days, like Global Handwashing Day.
- In partnership with WaterAid, we co-chair the Health/WASH Network, a group dedicated to integrated advocacy.
Naturally, we’re big fans of Global Handwashing Day and have supported it for years. When the opportunity to become a formal member of the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) came up, we didn’t think twice. After all, if all communities practiced universal handwashing with soap, diarrhea risk would drop by nearly half! We value technical guidance from partners for each of the interventions we cover on our website, and for all things related to hygiene and handwashing, GHP is our one-stop shop. We’re happy to also call them a member of our ever-growing #DefeatDD movement. Clean high-fives all around!
Follow DefeatDD on Twitter & Facebook.
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The GHP Partner Profile is a series written by GHP partners and members. DefeatDD joined the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) in May 2016 as a Partnership Member. Learn more about how your organization can join the GHP here.