GEF

Unit 6  |  Social Changes of Sustainable Development 135 6.4  Health, Education, and Sustainability Along with adequate food, potable water and basic sanita- tion are critical for good health. Universal access to potable water could prevent millions of annual deaths. Worldwide, more than 780 million people do not have access to reliable clean water. They are forced to obtain drinking water from unsafe sources, such as untreated rivers or streams. Almost half of the developing world, about 2.5 billion people, suffers from inadequate sanitation. Improving access to fresh water is a key goal of sustainable development. The World Health Organization points to several worldwide health trends, both positive and negative. Maternal mortality rates (women dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth) and child mortality rates continue to decline slowly. The number of deaths from mosquito-borne malaria and tuberculosis has dropped slightly, while HIV/AIDS cases world- wide continues to grow. About 21,000 children under age five die every day due to diseases like HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea. The vast majority of childhood deaths occur in the developing world, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. Basic care, immuniza- tions, and medicines remain unavailable for millions of children in the developing world. Education also impacts sustainable economic development. Education has proven to reduce poverty, improve health, and promote gender equality, peace, and stability. In particu- lar, health education improves the quality of life for women through reduced fertility rates and lower infant and maternal mortality. Educated girls have lower HIV/AIDS rates, better overall health and life expectancy, and increased earnings. The children of educated women are much more likely to become educated. POTABLE WATER Fresh water that is safe to drink. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION The principal global orga- nization dedicated to improving public health.