Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient available freshwater resources to meet the demands of water usage within a region. This can be due to physical shortages, economic inaccessibility, or both. Currently, over two billion people live in countries experiencing high water stress, and the problem is only projected to worsen due to factors such as climate change, population growth, urbanisation, and inefficient water management. Unlike droughts, which are natural and temporary, water scarcity is often a systemic issue that persists due to mismanagement and policy failures.
The implications of water scarcity extend far beyond agriculture or energy production. The most alarming consequences are seen in public health. From facilitating the spread of waterborne diseases to impairing sanitation and hygiene services in healthcare facilities, the lack of access to clean water creates a ripple effect that compromises the health of entire communities. Water scarcity not only undermines public infrastructure but also inflates healthcare costs, increases malnutrition, and leaves the most vulnerable populations exposed to preventable illnesses. In this post, we’ll explore the comprehensive impact of water scarcity on public health and highlight actionable insights and sustainable solutions.
Public health largely concerns safe, clean drinking water. Access to medical treatment, hygiene, hydration, and sanitation determines all of them. When water is limited, these basic needs are not met, increasing one’s likelihood of coming into contact with harmful microorganisms. Many low- and middle-income countries see people turning to contaminated water sources, allowing typhoid fever, hepatitis A, cholera, and dysentery to spread.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), hygienic practices, contaminated drinking water, and inadequate sanitation cause diarrhoea, resulting in roughly 829,000 deaths.
Water scarcity also affects the ability of healthcare facilities to maintain safe and sterile environments. Many hospitals and clinics in water-stressed areas operate without running water, jeopardising infection control and patient safety. Without adequate water, basic practices like handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and sterilising medical equipment become impossible, putting patients and healthcare workers at high risk.
Furthermore, water scarcity fuels the spread of vector-borne diseases. The likelihood of malaria and dengue fever outbreaks is increased by mosquitoes’ finding breeding sites in still water generated by irregular water deliveries. Beyond drinking water, clean water is linked to disease prevention and preserves a holistic approach to hygiene and health that cannot exist without a constant water supply.
As diseases associated with water scarcity rise, so do the pressures on already strained healthcare systems. Treating preventable illnesses like diarrhoea, skin infections, and respiratory problems diverts critical resources from other healthcare priorities. Waterborne diseases also lead to higher patient inflows in health centres, which may already lack essential infrastructure, further compromising care quality.
The economic toll of treating water-related illnesses is staggering. A significant proportion of healthcare budgets in developing nations is spent on combating conditions that would be entirely preventable with access to clean water and proper sanitation. The costs extend beyond treatment; they include loss of productivity, school absenteeism, and long-term disability, especially in children affected by repeated diarrheal episodes.
The financial load of travelling great distances to get clean water or healthcare services disproportionately impacts women and children in rural and peri-urban settings. Families driven into a vicious cycle of poverty and poor health must decide whether to pay for medical treatment or purchase water. This economic domino effect emphasises the need for water not just for living, but also for preserving a viable and fair public health system.
Growing food, cooking, and maintaining proper sanitation all depend on water, all of which are vital for nutritional health. Direct effects of water shortage on agriculture include lower crop yields and limited availability of nutritious meals, particularly fruits and vegetables that need plenty of water to flourish. In places where water is limited, people could be compelled to rely on processed, calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods, therefore contributing to general malnutrition.
Malnutrition affects the immune system, increasing a person’s susceptibility to infections, especially in young children under five and pregnant women. Furthermore, impeding the body’s capacity to absorb nutrients is a lack of clean water. For example, frequent episodes of diarrhoea in children brought on by waterborne infections can cause cognitive impairments, stunted development, and chronic malnutrition.
Additionally, the time spent fetching water—often a task assigned to women and children—reduces the time available for food preparation and child care, further exacerbating nutritional deficiencies in communities where irrigation systems fail, or water prices spike, and small-scale farmers may abandon nutritious crops altogether, reducing dietary diversity. Thus, water scarcity doesn’t just leave communities thirsty—it leaves them underfed and unhealthy.
Climate change is amplifying water scarcity worldwide. Increasingly erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures are depleting freshwater sources. At the same time, rapid urbanisation is increasing water demand, often outpacing the capacity of infrastructure to deliver clean water. These twin forces are making water scarcity not just a problem for developing nations but a looming crisis for cities around the world.
When municipal water systems are overburdened or fail, the impact on public health can be swift and devastating. Sewer systems overflow, hospitals ration water, and communities face hygiene breakdowns. Urban slums, already vulnerable due to overcrowding and poor infrastructure, become breeding grounds for infectious disease outbreaks. These scenarios illustrate how climate change and urban mismanagement are turning water scarcity into a pervasive public health emergency.
At Al Qulub Trust, we recognise that access to clean, safe water is not just a basic human right—it is a cornerstone of public health, education, and economic stability. Through our Water & Sanitation Appeal, we are working tirelessly to provide long-term, sustainable water solutions to communities most at risk from water scarcity and poor sanitation.
Our efforts include:
Installing Deep-Water Wells and Hand Pumps in remote and underserved areas to ensure access to safe drinking water.
Providing Hygiene and Sanitation Facilities in schools, health clinics, and refugee camps to prevent the spread of disease and promote dignity.
Supporting Water Filtration Projects that eliminate harmful contaminants, ensuring that water is not only accessible but also safe for consumption.
Promoting Hygiene Education at the grassroots level, empowering families with knowledge to protect their health and prevent waterborne diseases.
Delivering Emergency Water Relief in drought-stricken and conflict-affected regions where infrastructure has collapsed and clean water is scarce.
Every donation to our water and sanitation programs helps save lives, reduce disease, and lift entire communities out of poverty. When you support Al Qulub Trust, you’re not just giving water—you’re giving health, hope, and a future.
How does water scarcity affect public health?
Water scarcity affects public health by limiting access to clean drinking water and sanitation, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and poor hygiene practices.
What diseases are linked to water scarcity?
Cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A, dysentery, and other diarrheal diseases are directly linked to water scarcity, along with skin infections and vector-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue.
Why is clean water important in healthcare settings?
Clean water is essential for sterilising equipment, maintaining hygiene, and ensuring safe medical practices. Without it, infection rates rise, and treatment becomes unsafe.
Can water scarcity lead to malnutrition?
Yes, it affects food production and limits the availability of diverse, nutritious foods. It also reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients due to frequent waterborne infections.
What role does climate change play in water scarcity?
Climate change intensifies droughts, alters rainfall patterns, and increases evaporation, all of which reduce freshwater availability and worsen public health outcomes.
What can be done to combat water scarcity on health?
Investing in infrastructure, promoting water conservation, enforcing sustainable policies, and improving hygiene education can mitigate the health impacts of water scarcity.
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