WHO supports Member States in enacting policies, adopting norms and standards, and strengthening health systems to ensure equity and universal access to people-centered sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, adolescent, adult and older people’s health services, and to promote health, development and well-being along the life course.

Sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces. Inadequate sanitation is a major cause of disease world-wide and improving sanitation is known to have a significant beneficial impact on health both in households and across communities. The word 'sanitation' also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal.