Pillars of Activity

RGHI has identified two key areas of activity – 1. Science and, 2. Communication and Convening. Work undertaken in these areas have the overarching objective of improving health outcomes for individuals and communities throughout the globe.

Science

Evidence Gaps

The evidence gaps will be filled by commissioning and publishing a series of reviews and creating a central repository of hygiene research.

New Research

RGHI will fund commission specific, directed research post-doctoral fellowship programme in hygiene.

Behaviour Change

RGHI will co-develop new economic models and outcome measures, and work as an initiating funder of key behavioural projects.

Communication & Convening

Advocacy

RGHI will bring hygiene, and its benefits, to the attention of the public and policymakers in order to drive a more coordinated approach.

Non-Academic Publishing

RGHI will continue to publish influence and opinion pieces to amplify its messages. Supported by a comprehensive global social media effort.

Policy Change

RGHI will present policy makers with robust and quantifiable hygiene evidence designed as a rationale for change.

News Room

Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash

News

Heeding lessons of hygiene health from a remarkable 19th century Hungarian physician

The reviews are glowing for “Dr. Semmelweis,” a play about a remarkable 19th century Hungarian physician who is now considered a giant in hygiene health. His insistence on requiring hand disinfection in obstetrical clinics led to dramatic…

Photo by Bill Wegener on Unsplash

News

Improving hygiene in Africa includes addressing hygiene and sanitation policy

A lack of running water in homes, inadequate hand hygiene services in health care facilities, and a lack of information on the need for basic hygiene practices are just some of the challenges low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—including…

News

CLEAN Briefing Paper identifies research priorities for healthcare cleaning in resource-limited settings

The CLEAN Briefing Paper, the output of an expert consultation to identify research priorities for environmental cleaning in healthcare facilities, has been coordinated and published by RGHI Fellow, Giorgia Gon.

News

Hygiene experts urge global health community to wake up to the value of hygiene ahead of World Health Assembly

This month world leaders will convene for the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland; an annual event that hygiene experts say has thus far failed to adequately include and address hygiene.

News

Healthcare professionals aren’t equipped to practise good hand hygiene, experts say on World Hand Hygiene Day

“Clean your hands, it’ll save lives;” that’s the message the World Health Organization is sharing this World Hand Hygiene Day, but hygiene experts say that remains difficult for millions of healthcare workers who operate in environments that don’t have clean water and soap.

News

Handwashing during ‘normal times’ can reduce burden of respiratory disease

New research published in The Lancet reinforces the idea that handwashing outside of pandemic times is vital in order to reduce the burden of common colds and flu in low- and middle-income countries. Analysis of studies involving 160,000 people across three continents reinforces message that handwashing is not just for pandemics.

News

Young Australians are taking up reusable menstrual hygiene products, but their needs aren’t being met

Half of young women and people who menstruate in Victoria, Australia surveyed have tried a reusable menstrual product— such as menstrual cups, recyclable pads and period pants — but education, product support, and bathroom facilities are still too focused on single-use items, according to new research.

News

New Ebola-like virus brings the value of ‘hygiene’ in terms of prevention back to the fore

The Marburg virus is the latest in a string of deadly diseases that are putting the health of entire populations at risk. While scientists scramble to find efficacious vaccines for a virus that’s part of the Ebola family, experts say hygiene practices remain among the most effective methods of prevention.

News

RGHI hosts ICA Grant information session and Q&A

The Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute hosted an information session and live Q&A on its International Collaboration Award (ICA) grant on 29th March 2023. The ICA grant will support research institutions to work in partnership to develop…