WHO has declared that hygiene is a social and health issue. Millions of people across the world are blessed with access to clean water but still suffer from diseases due to a lack of proper hygiene practices. There are many ways to improve your personal hygiene, and this article will explore some of the most common ones.

There are many ways to maintain proper hygiene. This article will introduce you to four of the most common practices, all of which have both social and health benefits.

The first hygiene practice is handwashing with soap or another antimicrobial agent. While this may seem simple enough, it has been scientifically proven to reduce rates of diarrhea by over forty percent. Hand washing is a common habit in developed countries, so it would be beneficial to those living there. However, due to less developed infrastructure and lack of soap in certain parts of the world, the practice remains a luxury for many. In many cases, basic hygiene practices such as handwashing go overlooked by those who have access to them.

The second practice is water purification. Water from rivers, lakes, and streams can be purified by boiling it or adding chemicals to it. This method is effective since it not only kills waterborne parasites but also eliminates certain bacteria that may have been present in the drinkable supply. Boiling water for a few minutes will kill any harmful microorganisms which would have otherwise been transmitted through a contaminated source. Unfortunately, many people lack access to both the fuel and infrastructure needed to properly purify their water.

The third practice is maintaining a healthy home environment. By making sure that your house is free of pests (and not overpopulated), you are able to prevent the spread of disease by way of insects and rodents. It is important to remember that wherever there is food, there will be pests – so it is essential to store your food properly and to eat only the amount that you need.

The cleanliness of a person's home environment can also affect their health. A house that has been exposed to high levels of pollution may contain substances such as dust and soot which can irritate the lungs upon inhalation. It may also contain radon gas, asbestos, lead paint, or other harmful microorganisms which could negatively impact one's health if not kept in check under normal circumstances.

Since most homes are not naturally free of these substances, it would be beneficial for those living in developed countries where building regulation standards exist. However, people in less developed countries are likely to have to contend with these risks.

The fourth hygiene practice is immunization against communicable diseases. Vaccination has proved to be the most effective way of preventing many types of disease which could otherwise be easily transmitted between people. Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to human health, but individuals can make themselves immune by getting inoculated against specific viruses and bacteria.