Educational and media outreach efforts by The Soap and Detergent Association on the health benefits of hand hygiene have been honored with a 2008 Associations Advance America Award of Excellence.

The honor is given annually by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) to associations that “propel America forward with innovative projects in education, skills training, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship and community service.”

The ASAE award recognized SDA’s “Clean Hands, Healthy Lives” campaign, which is a compendium of educational programs and media outreach on the importance of hand hygiene and its impact on preventing illness.

SDA was one of just 38 non-profit organizations nationally to receive the ASAE honor.

“SDA proactively takes a lead role in working with the news media, educators and health professionals to spread the message about the public health benefits of hand hygiene,” said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA President and CEO.

“Through strategic partnerships and innovative consumer surveys, SDA shares science-based information on the safe, proper and effective use of hand hygiene products. We are proud of these efforts and will continue to work with our members and our partners in sharing common sense messages about the positive health benefits of good hygiene.”

SDA’s educational and outreach activities include:

  • The “Healthy Schools, Healthy People: It’s a SNAP” program (www.itsasnap.org), a joint project of SDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Launched in 2002, SNAP – the School Network for Absenteeism Prevention – seeks to improve hand hygiene habits among middle school personnel and students to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and reduce related absenteeism. SNAP was honored in 2005 with an ASAE Award of Excellence.

  • The C.L.E.A.N™ (Custodial Leaders for Environmental Advocacy Nationwide) Awards Program, a joint school cleanliness initiative sponsored by SDA, CDC and the National Education Association Health Information Network. The new award will be presented to a school custodian who demonstrates outstanding leadership in school cleanliness and reflects the contributions that education support professionals can make to public health.

  • SDA has twice partnered with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) to sponsor observational studies of public handwashing habits. A 2007 SDA/ASM news conference announcing the results generated 250 newspaper, 400 Internet and 200 broadcast stories, which included messages about the importance of cleaning one’s hands with soap and water, or with sanitizers or hand wipes if soap and water are not readily available.

  • SDA is a member of the Clean Hands Coalition, which annually supports National Clean Hands Week (September 21-27, 2008). The Coalition is an alliance of public and private partners working together to create and support coordinated, sustained initiatives to significantly improve health and save lives through clean hands.