206295 Water and infectious diseases: Emerging issues

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 10:30 AM

Cathey Eisner Falvo, MD, MPH , Physicians for Social Responsibitliy, New York, NY
Most public and private water supplies in developed countries are readily available and safe for human consumption. This is not true in developing countries. There is a huge economic and social cost from frequent illness caused by contaminated water (some 17% of under-five deaths in developing countries result from infectious diarrhea) and time spent finding potable water. Some water contamination can be avoided, some can be removed and some makes the water unusable. Microbial contamination of drinking water has been recognized as a threat to health for millennia, but the problem persists, barely abated. This paper will discuss the principle sources of microbial contamination, ways this contamination can be avoided, the choices for making contaminated water potable and the policy implications of the cost and efficacy of the various choices.

Learning Objectives:
1.Understand the sources and consequences of microbial contamination of water 2.Learn some ways to avoid contamination, to make water potable 3.Understand the economic consequences of choices for making water potable

Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Cost-Effectiveness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: over 20 years working in developing countries and on water issues. Have written/published on topic. medical training in pediatrics, epidemiology and infectious diseases
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.