WHO and UNICEF Launch Global Hand Hygiene Guidelines

On Global Handwashing Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF introduced the first global guidelines for hand hygiene in community settings. This represents a significant move towards improving public health by providing unified, science-based guidance to reduce infections through handwashing.

SC Johnson Professional endorses these guidelines, recognizing handwashing's potency in fostering safer environments. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, hand hygiene can prevent up to 80% of infectious diseases, emphasizing its importance in public health.

The guidelines focus on the timing, method, and conditions for effective handwashing, framing it as a crucial public health practice. Studies indicate that in high-income countries, handwashing education can reduce diarrheal illness by 58% and respiratory illnesses by 16-21%.

These new guidelines aim to standardize hand hygiene policies globally, supporting institutions in promoting regular handwashing. SC Johnson Professional, with its extensive history in hygiene solutions, is committed to advocating effective hygiene practices.