Since 2008, Global Handwashing Day has been celebrated annually on October 15 to promote handwashing with soap and water as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent disease and save lives. When handwashing with soap is practised at key moments, such as after using the toilet or before eating, it can dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhea and pneumonia, which can cause serious illness and death. In short, practicing proper hand hygiene at key moments can save millions of lives annually. Yet, there’s still a long way to go in making it a widespread habit.
https://www.onedrop.org/en/news/global-handwashing-day-what-it-is-and-why-its-important