Waterborne diseases cause over 6 billion diarrheal episodes annually and remain a leading cause of global child mortality. In this development dissertation brief (DDB), I summarize a chapter of my thesis (coauthored with Linn Mattisson), where we study the effect of stagnant water exposure on children’s health and schooling in Tanzania.
We develop a novel measure of stagnant water exposure, called Waterborne Disease Potential (WDP) index, and estimate its impact on children’s health, mortality, and education in Tanzania. A 10-percentage point increase in WDP raises diarrhea incidence by a substantial 30 percent, and significantly increases child mortality among urban households lacking access to improved sanitation. We also find that exposure to stagnant water detrimentally affects cognitive ability and increases school absenteeism.
Climate change is projected to dramatically increase the risk of future stagnant water events due to the combined effects of higher temperatures and more intense rainfall. Fortunately, targeted infrastructure investments and zoning regulations can substantially reduce exposure. Improved sanitation also plays a critical preventative role.
The WDP index can help identify where such investments are most cost-effective and inform awareness campaigns. Lastly, it can be integrated with weather forecasts to develop short-term early warning systems for stagnant water risks.