VoxDev Development Economics
S6 Ep18: Improving sanitation: What works and what doesn’t
May 8, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Karen Macours, a Professor at the Paris School of Economics and co-chair of J-PAL's Health Sector, dives into the global sanitation crisis. She highlights the urgent need to end open defecation and the health risks tied to inadequate sanitation. Karen explores the effectiveness of different sanitation policies, emphasizing community-led initiatives and the surprising benefits of subsidies over loans. She also tackles the complexities of measuring health improvements linked to better sanitation, calling for innovative strategies to ensure lasting change.
18:41
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Quick takeaways
- Subsidies effectively increase toilet access and usage, while loans show inconsistent outcomes due to financial barriers in sanitation improvements.
- Community-led initiatives and awareness campaigns are essential for sustainable behavior changes regarding sanitation practices and health outcomes.
Deep dives
The Global Sanitation Crisis
Over 400 million people worldwide are forced to defecate in the open, while an additional 500 million have inadequate sanitation facilities. This dire situation contributes to the spread of various diseases, including infections from parasites and, prominently, diarrheal diseases like cholera. The lack of proper sanitation directly impacts children's nutritional status due to the resultant diseases, leading to lower food intake and hindering both linear growth and cognitive development. These figures highlight the urgent need for improved sanitation access as part of the effort to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
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