At the March 2009 United Nations meetings coinciding with the World Water Forum, a declaration that would recognize water as a basic human right was defeated. In this month's Editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that access to clean water should be declared a basic human right for three reasons. First, access to clean water can substantially reduce the global burden of disease caused by water-borne infections. Second, the privatization of water—as witnessed in Bolivia, Ghana, and other countries—has not effectively served the poor, who suffer the most from lack of access to clean water. Third, the prospect of global water scarcity—exacerbated by climate change, industrial pollution, and population growth—means that no country is immune to a water crisis.
Image Credit: Rudhach at flickr.com
Editorial
Clean Water Should Be Recognized as a Human Right
PLOS Medicine: published June 30, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000102
The PLoS Medicine Debates
What Is the Optimal Therapy for Patients with H5N1 Influenza?
PLOS Medicine: published June 23, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000091
In Global Health Research, Is It Legitimate To Stop Clinical Trials Early on Account of Their Opportunity Costs?
PLOS Medicine: published June 9, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000071
Essays
Will the Public's Health Fall Victim to the Home Foreclosure Epidemic?
PLOS Medicine: published June 16, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000087
Seasonal Hunger: A Neglected Problem with Proven Solutions
PLOS Medicine: published June 30, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000101
Perspectives
Funding for Reproductive Health in Conflict and Post-Conflict Countries: A Familiar Story of Inequity and Insufficient Data
PLOS Medicine: published June 9, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000093
Related Articles
“Antibiotics Are Not Automatic Anymore”—The French National Campaign To Cut Antibiotic Overuse
PLOS Medicine: published June 2, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000080
Related Articles
What Are the Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis C?
PLOS Medicine: published June 16, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000096
Related Articles
Can We “Hedge” against the Development of Antiviral Resistance among Pandemic Influenza Viruses?
PLOS Medicine: published June 30, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000103
Related Articles
Research Articles
Tracking Official Development Assistance for Reproductive Health in Conflict-Affected Countries
PLOS Medicine: published June 9, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000090
Related Articles
Significant Reduction of Antibiotic Use in the Community after a Nationwide Campaign in France, 2002–2007
PLOS Medicine: published June 2, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000084
Related Articles
Are Markers of Inflammation More Strongly Associated with Risk for Fatal Than for Nonfatal Vascular Events?
PLOS Medicine: published June 23, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000099
Related Articles
An Economic Evaluation of Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Strategies in Critically Ill Trauma Patients at Risk of Bleeding
PLOS Medicine: published June 23, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000098
Pralidoxime in Acute Organophosphorus Insecticide Poisoning—A Randomised Controlled Trial
PLOS Medicine: published June 30, 2009 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000104