Access to safe water and sanitation are among the ten top global public health achievements in the first decade of 21st century identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC asked experts in global public health to nominate noteworthy public health achievements that occurred outside of the United States during 2001–2010. CDC selected ten of these achievements and published an overview in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) of 24 June 2011.

Between 2000 and 2008, CDC reports that an additional 800 million people gained access to improved drinking water sources, and additional 570 million people gained access to improved sanitation. In addition, education and safe water technology have eradicated Guinea worm in all but four countries (Southern Sudan, Mali, Ethiopia, and Ghana), with complete eradication expected in 2012.

The nine other public health achievements listed by CDC were:

Reductions in Child Mortality
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Malaria Prevention and Control
Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS
Tuberculosis Control
Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases
Tobacco Control
Increased Awareness and Response for Improving Global Road Safety
Improved Preparedness and Response to Global Health Threats. 

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