Water resources

An important fraction of the burden of water-related diseases (in particular: water-related vector-borne diseases) is attributable to the way water resources are developed and managed. In many parts of the world the adverse health impacts of water pollution, dam construction, irrigation development and flood control cause significant preventable disease.

WHO’s Water, Sanitation and Health Programme focuses on:

• Water resource quality
• Health impact assessment
• Intersectoral collaboration
• Environmental management

It also explores options to integrate health risk assessment and management into strategies and programmes for nature conservation, in particular of wetlands, and for the promotion of biological diversity.

See also

• Publications on health in water resources development
• Useful links