Hygiene-Preventable Disease in Developing Nations

Today, pneumonia is the leading cause of death for children under five in developing nations. Pneumonia accounts for another 1.2 million infant and child deaths annually and kills more children than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined, accounting for nearly 1 in 5 child deaths. Diarrhea continues to be a serious health issue, and is the second leading cause of death for children under five claiming 760,000 lives worldwide.

Soap and Hygiene By the Numbers

In some regions, soap can cost an entire day’s wages. It’s expensive, valuable, and hard to come by. Because purchasing a bar of soap to wash hands is simply not an option, people become sick, and certain populations, like children, are especially vulnerable to the disease that results.

• 1.4 million deaths can be prevented each year by simply washing the hands with soap.
• Since 2009, 7 million children have died due to hygiene-preventable disease.
• Children under five who wash with soap can reduce their risk of pneumonia by 50%.
• Diarrhea mortality rates can be reduced by 44% by washing the hands with soap.
• Infant mortality rates decrease by up to 19% when birth attendants wash their hands prior to delivering babies.
• Infant mortality rates decrease by up to 44% when mothers wash their hands prior to touching their babies.

How We’re Making an Impact

The Lovin’ Soap Project provides women with the skills and knowledge to make soap as a micro-business to support their families. As a result, women gain the ability to use excess soap from the process for hygiene. In addition, with their comprehension of how soaps are formulated, what types of ingredients are necessary, and the instruction provided by the Lovin’ Soap Project on local sourcing, women are empowered to make their own, inexpensive yet effective soaps to help maintain basic health and sanitation.