Increasing the practice of handwashing with soap is the international goal of the World Health Organization with the first-ever Global Handwashing Day, scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2008.

Handwashing with soap is an exceptionally efficacious and cost-effective health intervention, but one that is often considered trivial in our busy, hectic lives. Repeated observational studies show that many people don’t wash their hands as often or as thoroughly as they should. If conscientious handwashing can prevent you (and your loved ones!) from experiencing the inconvenience of vomiting and diarrhea, or reduce your risk for skin infections, eye infections, intestinal worms, and other communicable diseases, isn’t it worth it?

The challenge of Global Handwashing Day is to transform handwashing with soap from an abstract good idea into an automatic behavior performed in homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Turning handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet into an ingrained habit could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, cutting deaths from diarrhea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter. In short, handwashing with soap could save 1 million lives per year.

Today and everyday you can make a difference. Speak up if a restroom is not adequately supplied with running water, soap and hand dryers/paper towels. Ask that foodhandler to wash his/her hands before making your sandwich. Most importantly, wash your hands after using the toilet and before you eat. And teach your kids to do the same.

Handwashing with soap is a cornerstone of public health across the globe and here at home. Handwashing with soap reduces disease. It’s cheap. It’s easy. It works to keep you healthy.