Global Environmental Health: Research Gaps and Barriers for Providing Sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services: Workshop Summary

The issues surrounding water services are some of the most critical challenges facing not only the United States, but also the global community today. The Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine of the Institute of Medicine convened a workshop in October 2007, summarized in this volume, to address objectives related to Sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services.

One of the objectives of the workshop was to think about the interdependence of environmental health and human health as connected through water. Organizations cannot discuss water without considering the interrelationship of sanitation and hygiene. It is the convergence of these strategies that promotes healthy outcomes for both individuals and the environment.

A second objective of the workshop was to consider how planning, management, and interdisciplinary approaches-including technology, social behavioral issues, gender, health, environment, economic, and political aspects-can be integrated to arrive at sustainable solutions. Many organizations and agencies are trying to forge a path toward sustainable practices in water, but the various sectors utilizing and governing water services are not interconnected. More integration and a greater understanding of holistic approaches are needed.

• Front Matter
• 1 Workshop Introduction
• 2 Global Water Services: Short- and Long-Range Views
• 3 The Technology Pillar of Sustainable Water: Technology, Economics, and Health
• 4 Panel Discussion: Coordination and Prioritization of Water Needs
• 5 Achieving Water and Sanitation Services for Health in Developing Countries
• 6 The Environmental Pillar of Sustainable Water: Ecological Services
• 7 The Social Pillar of Sustainable Water: Health Research Gaps
• 8 Panel Discussion: Moving Forward
• 9 Thinking About New Visions of Water Services
• 10 Breakout Group: Meeting Goals for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
• References
• Appendix A: Workshop Agenda
• Appendix B: Speakers and Panelists
• Appendix C: Workshop Participants