Americans get C- for handwashing habits

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Americans get C- for handwashing habits

GateHouse News Service Posted Oct 03, 2008 @ 10:53 PM

NEWTON — Despite the threat of getting sick during cold and flu

season, fewer Americans say they are regularly washing their hands.

According to a study of more than 900 people by the Soap and Detergent

Association, only 85 percent said they always wash their hands after

going to the bathroom, down from 92 percent in 2006.

This warranted a C-minus grade on the SDA's Clean Hands Report Card.

Other findings:

• 46 percent wash their hands 15 seconds or less despite health

agencies recommending washing with soap at least 15 to 20 seconds

• 39 percent surveyed seldom or never wash their hands after coughing

or sneezing

• 35 percent don't always wash before eating lunch.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes hand-washing

is the single most important action in preventing illness and the

spread of illness to others.

http://www.thekansan.com/news/x453212143/Americans-get-C-for-handwashing-habits