Safe drinking water and hygiene, along with higher levels of community coverage for sanitation, appear to protect against childhood diarrheal disease. This according to an updated meta-analysis that included 135 studies between 1970 and February 2016. Study results were combined and analyzed using meta-analysis and meta-regression. Researchers found:

• Several water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions were associated with lower risk of diarrheal morbidity.
• Point-of-use filter interventions with safe storage reduced diarrhea risk by 61%.
• Sanitation interventions reduced diarrhea risk by 25% and interventions promoting handwashing with soap by 30% vs no intervention.