Global Handwashing Day is celebrated annually on October 15 to increase awareness and understanding of the antimicrobial benefits of proper hand hygiene, according to the CDC.
Here are three things to know:
1. The Global Handwashing Partnership established Global Handwashing Day in 2008.
2. Educating communities on proper handwashing protocols can reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23 to 40 percent, lower diarrheal illness in HIV patients by about 58 percent and limit respiratory illnesses by 16 to 21 percent, according to the CDC.
3. For Global Handwashing Day, the CDC launched a #HandwashingHeroes social media campaign and hosted a Facebook Live talk about the importance of hand hygiene. The agency is also offering various resources and educational materials to help promote handwashing.
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