Health benefits
Often, rural water supply projects are justified on the basis of assumed improvements in health, however, such results are difficult to attribute solely to public health interventions. Human behavior and its complex relationship with the environment are equally important in determining overall health status as availability of safe water (Churchill et al., 1987). Improvements in health outcomes are highly correlated with level of female education, income and literacy (Roudi-Fahimi & Moghadam, 2003), rather than availability of safe water. Therefore, human behavior often overturns the theoretical links between improved services and improved health (Churchill et al., 1987). Additionally, an in-depth study on the economic impact …show more content…
As a result, 3.4 million people die annually from water-related diseases (WHO, n.d.). The biophysical health consequences of water insecurity are well researched and understood, however, the same cannot be said of the emotional and mental health consequences of water insecurity (Wutich & Ragsdale, 2008). Research regarding the psychosocial impacts of water insecurity is still very limited, therefore scientists rely on studies of food insecurity. Research does show that food insecurity (i.e. insecure access to a basic resource) is associated with emotional distress, anxiety, and depression (Coates et al., 2006; Hadley & Patil, 2006; Whitaker, Phillips, & Orzol, 2006). A 2002 study found that the progression of food insecurity is followed by a predictable progression of emotional responses: “worry about acquiring food; frustration and anxiety over the lack of food; and powerlessness, inequity, and shame regarding the inability to meet food-related social norms” (Hamelin, Beaudry, & Habicht, 2002). Based on similarities between water and food insecurity, scientists posit that a link between water insecurity and adverse psychosocial status is likely (Wutich & Ragsdale,
Often, rural water supply projects are justified on the basis of assumed improvements in health, however, such results are difficult to attribute solely to public health interventions. Human behavior and its complex relationship with the environment are equally important in determining overall health status as availability of safe water (Churchill et al., 1987). Improvements in health outcomes are highly correlated with level of female education, income and literacy (Roudi-Fahimi & Moghadam, 2003), rather than availability of safe water. Therefore, human behavior often overturns the theoretical links between improved services and improved health (Churchill et al., 1987). Additionally, an in-depth study on the economic impact …show more content…
As a result, 3.4 million people die annually from water-related diseases (WHO, n.d.). The biophysical health consequences of water insecurity are well researched and understood, however, the same cannot be said of the emotional and mental health consequences of water insecurity (Wutich & Ragsdale, 2008). Research regarding the psychosocial impacts of water insecurity is still very limited, therefore scientists rely on studies of food insecurity. Research does show that food insecurity (i.e. insecure access to a basic resource) is associated with emotional distress, anxiety, and depression (Coates et al., 2006; Hadley & Patil, 2006; Whitaker, Phillips, & Orzol, 2006). A 2002 study found that the progression of food insecurity is followed by a predictable progression of emotional responses: “worry about acquiring food; frustration and anxiety over the lack of food; and powerlessness, inequity, and shame regarding the inability to meet food-related social norms” (Hamelin, Beaudry, & Habicht, 2002). Based on similarities between water and food insecurity, scientists posit that a link between water insecurity and adverse psychosocial status is likely (Wutich & Ragsdale,