Description:

"Measuring the World’s Experiences with Water: Implications for Science, Policy and... Northwestern"

by Sera Young, Associate Professor of Anthropology and IPR Fellow

Abstract: Problems with water quality and quantity are increasing in frequency and severity throughout the world, including in the United States. High-resolution, globally comparable data have been extremely helpful for understanding the human health impact of other health issues, e.g., food insecurity, but have not existed for water. To fill this gap, Young led the development of the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) scale, the first cross-culturally equivalent way of measuring water access and use (hwise.org). The HWISE Scale can be used to estimate prevalence of household water insecurity and to investigate its causes and consequences. The HWISE Scale is currently being implemented globally, including by the Gallup World Poll, to benchmark water access and use. Her presentation will conclude by discussing the policy implications of these data for both Northwestern University and the global community. 

This event is part of the 2020 Fay Lomax Cook IPR Colloquium Series.