Diarrheal diseases

Abstract

Diarrheal diseases are among the most common causes of death, especially in children. In 2019 around 1.5 million people died from diarrheal diseases. That was more than all violent deaths combined. Around half a million of these deaths were among children. In recent decades, deaths from diarrheal diseases have fallen significantly across the world, as a result of public health interventions. But more progress is possible. Diarrheal deaths are preventable because they are primarily caused by pathogens, whose spread can be easily controlled. By increasing global access to clean water and sanitation, oral rehydration treatment, and vaccination, this major cause of death can be reduced substantially. This page shows estimates of diarrheal death rates worldwide and the pathogens that cause them. We also offer data on access to public health measures and how they have changed.