Oral

The establishment of potable water service in US communities has greatly contributed to reduced morbidity and mortality from infectious diarrhea. A growing body of research highlights the importance of potable water services for the prevention of a host of other health outcomes. Some US residents still lack these basic services. This session begins with an overview of present water and sanitation conditions in rural regions of the US, with a focus on rural Alaska Native villages. This information will be followed by a discussion of the physical, social, cultural and economic barriers to the provision and sustainability of modern infrastructure in rural regions of the US. Next a summary of recent research linking higher rates of acute respiratory infections, invasive pneumococcal disease and skin infections with lack of in-home water service in Alaska Native villages will be presented. We will conclude with a discussion of very small water supplies, both in the US and abroad. For this presentation very small water supplies (VSWS) are defined as any supply providing water to fewer than 50 people (100 people in the US). Even in developed countries there are literally 100s of thousands of such supplies. Furthermore, many of the marginalized groups within society (rural poor, indigenous peoples) have no alternatives to VSWSs. The large majority of these supplies are managed by the consumer who may have little or no understanding of the principles of safe water management.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)