Bridging the Data Divide: Advancing Integrated WASH and Health Systems

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems are central to public health—but too often, the data used to plan and evaluate them fall short. Despite clear and well-documented links between WASH and health outcomes, most WASH programs are still designed, implemented, and monitored without leveraging the wealth of health data that already exists. This creates missed opportunities for smarter investments, more equitable service delivery, and better outcomes for communities most at risk.

The recently published WSH Data Labs report, Bridging the Data Divide: Integrating Health Insights into WASH Systems, addresses this gap and advocates for integrating key health indicators into WASH performance monitoring and service delivery planning. DevGlobal is proud to have played a pivotal role in enabling this work, providing strategic guidance, technical support, and a platform for cross-sector collaboration.

While many WASH systems monitor infrastructure and service coverage, few incorporate key metrics like morbidity and mortality data [in assessments of effectiveness]. A health-based approach can help WASH systems better measure impact, drive accountability, and secure sustained funding. National health surveys, civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems, health information systems (HIS), and global efforts like the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study all generate relevant data that, if systematically linked with WASH, can transform how we assess performance and target resources.

The report discusses how this data integration can be achieved by strengthening cross-sector coordination and interoperability between existing data systems. For example, pairing national disease surveillance data with WASH asset maps can help stakeholders identify gaps to prioritize areas with the greatest need. Health indicators can also inform subnational investment decisions and help measure equity and inclusion across service delivery areas.

The report outlines practical steps for governments, implementing partners, and donors. These include aligning key indicators across sectors, leveraging national and global health surveillance platforms, and embedding health metrics into routine WASH monitoring and investment planning. This will help improve the effectiveness of WASH services, promote equity and inclusivity, and make WASH investments more appealing to decision-makers.

Ultimately, safe WASH is more than infrastructure – it is an essential public health intervention. As with any health intervention, evidence matters. By using available national and global health data to connect WASH conditions with real-world health outcomes, we can ensure that services reach the people who need them most and deliver measurable impact.

Download the full report here to explore the data, insights, and recommendations for integrating health metrics into WASH performance monitoring and planning.