Rollins Researchers Inform Global Hand Hygiene Guidelines

Research led by faculty, staff, and students at Rollins School of Public Health is influencing global hand hygiene programs and policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned five systematic reviews to inform their first-ever Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Community Settings, which UNICEF co-endorses.

All five systematic reviews were published in a special supplement of BMJ Global Health. The supplement also features a commentary co-authored by Rollins faculty members Bethany Caruso, PhD; Matthew Freeman, PhD; and Marlene Wolfe, PhD, who led the research.

“It is rare to engage in public health research that has such immediate impact,” says Caruso. “We all hope to do research that will have substantive impact at some point, but that these studies are feeding directly into the guidelines and having an immediate impact on public health globally is outstanding. And this work would not have been possible without the many students who contributed.”

A launch event for the supplement will take place on September 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. BST (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST). To join online, send an email to estevesj@who.int to RSVP.

Why This Work Matters

The systematic reviews explored:

• The effectiveness of methods like handwashing and hand sanitizer
• Materials needed for hand hygiene in community settings
• Factors that make it harder or easier for people in community settings to practice hand hygiene
• The effectiveness of hand hygiene interventions in community settings
• The effectiveness of government actions supporting hand hygiene in community settings

These studies present the most comprehensive review to date on hand hygiene practices and programs. The guidelines informed by this work will launch on October 15 to recognize Global Handwashing Day.

“We are excited that the guidelines will directly inform policies and programs by national governments,” says Freeman. “This will support their efforts to improve financing for hand hygiene, behavior change communication, and provision of soap and water for people across the world, ultimately improving their health and well-being.”