According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, poor handwashing has resulted in: 

• As many as 1 million residents per year experiencing a gastrointestinal illness
• An estimated $400 million in treatment costs
• An estimated 60,000 hospitalizations
• An estimated 250 deaths
• An estimated 3,000 cases of shigella and 10,000 cases of Hepatitis A in 1995 

Simple, regular handwashing is the fastest and least expensive route to staying healthy. 

To properly wash your hands:

• Turn on the water and use a generous amount of soap
• Lather soap and scrub for at least 15 seconds
• Be sure to wash wrists and in between fingers
• Rinse soap off hands
• Dry hands with paper towel or hand towel
• Turn off faucet with towel

You should wash your hands:

• Before eating
• After using the bathroom
• After playing outside
• After handling pets
• Before and after touching someone who is sick

About the MMS Handwashing Campaign
This MMS campaign was the result of two resolutions approved in 1996 by the MMS House of Delegates, the Society's governing body. 

Campaign Objectives

• Two-year statewide campaign to promote the health benefits of proper handwashing

• Targeted towards consumers of all ages, health care providers and food service professionals

• In collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration, and Bright Horizons Children's Centers, Inc., and Legal Sea Foods 

Campaign Activities

• Our Handwashing curriculum for pre-school teachers is now available. It contains a teacher's guide, 10 "hands on" activities and a cassette tape of our handwashing theme song (with lyrics and music too).
• "Super Soapy," the campaign mascot who is a giant bar of soap, is visiting local community events and schools, encouraging children to wash their hands.
• Radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs), with master chef Noel Cullen, renowned author and chef Julia Child, and former New England Patriot Ron Lippett.
• Shopping bag inserts were distributed to 5 Massachusetts supermarkets (Demoulas/Market Basket, Victory, Roche Bros., Big Y, and A&P/Waldbaum's).
• Posters. Restaurants and hospitals across the state are displaying our posters.
• Coloring books and stickers are being distributed to elementary schools and day care centers. 

Download and print  (Links will open in a new window)

• Handwashing for Better Health brochure (For best results, print on 81/2" x 14", legal size paper). You will need to glue sides back to back to make a tri-fold brochure. 

• Handwashing instruction poster 

The brochure and poster require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can download a free copy from Adobe's website.

For More Information
Contact the MMS Public Health and Education Department
860 Winter Street
Waltham, MA 02451-1411
Phone: (781) 434-7373
Fax: (781) 434-7455
Email: dph@mms.org