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Handwashing is
the single most important act you can do to prevent getting sick and
making others sick. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that
5,000 people die each year from foodborne illnesses. 78 million
become ill, and between 79,000 and 96,000 die from hospital
infections each year. A direct link to many of these deaths is poor
handwashing.
In 2003, the
American Society of Microbiology sponsored a study by Wirthlin
Worldwide and found that 95% of adults say they always wash their
hands after using public restrooms; however, only 78% of adults
passing through public restrooms located in major airports actually
did wash their hands. That translates into 22 out of 100 people who
use public restrooms leaving without washing their hands!
For questions or
to get involved in the campaign, call the Health Department’s Health
Education Division at 419-228-4457.
Page-sized
posters that can be hung in restroom areas are available at the
Allen County Health Department or can be downloaded
here.
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