SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Researchers at United Nations University in Tokyo said better water and sanitation reduces poverty in three ways -- business opportunities are created for local entrepreneurs; significant savings are achieved in the public health sector; and individual productivity is greater in contributing to local and national economies.

"Water problems, caused largely by an appalling absence of adequate toilets in many places, contribute tremendously to some of the world's most punishing problems, foremost among them the inter-related afflictions of poor health and chronic poverty", Zafar Adeel, director of the United Nations University's Canadian-based International Network on Water, Environment and Health.

"Poor health, especially chronic illness, can force a household below the poverty threshold", the analysis said.

"This becomes self-perpetuating as a poverty-stricken household is more prone to ill health. Low education levels and lack of knowledge further maintain this cycle, as understanding links between hygiene and waterborne diseases tend to come more easily to households with higher education levels."

The finding were released Monday at the start of a two-day United Nations University hosted international meeting in Hamilton, Ontario.

 BREAKING STORIES

40 million farmers live below poverty line

Lack of education may increase H1N1 risk

Ethiopia may not reach anti-poverty goals

Stress, poverty linked to harmful fat

Preemies in poverty less ready for school

Doc: Poverty causes Scotland's poor health

Famine threatens parts of Uganda

UN: Latin America faces financial crisis

UNICEF: Maternal Deaths, Poverty Linked

UNICEF: Maternal deaths, poverty linked

'Migrant Mother' girl rejected poverty

Study: Toilets, safe water can end poverty

Severe famine overtaking Zimbabwe

London protesters targeting child poverty

Mich. poverty rate climbs amid job losses

Ethiopia facing never-ending famine

Aid workers: Famine growing in Zimbabwe

Neglected diseases linked to poverty

Diabetes link to childhood poverty

Drought, high food prices slam Somalia