Technical Brief on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Wastewater Management to Prevent Infections and Reduce the Spread of Antimicrobial Resistance

Although improvements in water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and wastewater management in all sectors are critical elements of preventing infections and reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), WASH and wastewater management actors and improvement actions continue to be under-represented in AMR multi-stakeholder platforms and national action plans (NAPs). This technical brief from the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) provides a summary of evidence and rationale for WASH and wastewater actions within AMR NAPs and sector-specific policy to combat AMR. Evidence and actions are presented in the domains of six key action areas: coordination and leadership; households and communities; healthcare facilities; animal and plant production; manufacturing of antimicrobials; and surveillance and research. This resource will be especially beneficial for change agents that want to build their understanding (and the case) for supporting WASH- and wastewater management-related actions in the areas where they operate.