Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:50
Construction of a Low-cost Mobile Incubator for Field and Laboratory Use
Published on: March 19, 2019
Economic aspects of sanitation in developing countries.
Hoang Van Minh1, Hung Nguyen-Viet
1Health Economics Department, Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Environmental Health Insights
|November 16, 2011
Summary
Investing in sanitation yields significant economic returns, with every dollar spent generating over $9 in global benefits. Achieving sanitation goals is crucial for public health and economic development.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Environmental Economics
- Development Studies
Background:
- Improved sanitation significantly impacts public health and economic development.
- Progress towards Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for sanitation has been slow due to a lack of understanding of its importance.
- This paper reviews evidence on the economic aspects of sanitation in developing countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and discuss the economic aspects of sanitation.
- To analyze the economic impacts of unimproved sanitation.
- To evaluate the costs and benefits of improved sanitation options.
Main Methods:
- Data gathered from international and national journal articles and reports.
- Web-based statistics and fact sheets were utilized.
- Information was collected through online and hand search methods.
Main Results:
- The economic cost of poor sanitation is substantial, with global ramifications of US$38 billion if MDG targets are unmet.
- Providing sanitation coverage to meet MDG targets requires US$142 billion (2005 USD) in developing countries.
- Investing in sanitation is economically beneficial, yielding US$9.1 to US$11.2 for every US$1 invested.
Conclusions:
- Sanitation is a profitable investment with clear social and economic advantages.
- Achieving sanitation goals saves lives and promotes economic growth.
- Improved sanitation is foundational for sustainable development.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:43Sustainable Development
As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.
01:18Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment
Handwashing is hand hygiene with plain or antimicrobial soap and water to physically remove dirt, organic material, and microorganisms. However, it may not kill all microorganisms. The handwashing procedure requires a hand wash basin, liquid soap, paper towels, a domestic waste bin, and disposable nail cleaner as optional equipment.
Hand wash basins in clinical areas should have faucets that can be turned on and off without using the hands; that is, they should be non-touch or lever-operated.
Hand wash basins in clinical areas should have faucets that can be turned on and off without using the hands; that is, they should be non-touch or lever-operated.
01:30Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...