When we think of healthcare, most of us picture hospitals, doctors, or medications. But there’s something far more basic—and often overlooked—that plays a huge role in our health: hygiene. Clean hands, brushed teeth, and a tidy environment may seem like small things, but they have a massive impact on our physical and mental well-being. Access to hygiene isn’t just about comfort: it’s a foundation for dignity, confidence, and good health.
Physical Health: Keeping Illness at Bay
Handwashing: Simple, Yet Powerful
Let’s start with the basics. Washing your hands properly can reduce gastrointestinal illnesses by 31% and respiratory infections by 21% in everyday community settings. That’s huge! For people without stable housing, the stakes are even higher—limited access to showers or clean clothes can lead to skin infections and communicable diseases that are completely preventable with basic hygiene access¹²⁷.
Oral Hygiene: More Than Just a Smile
Good dental hygiene doesn’t just protect your teeth—it protects your whole body. Poor oral health has been linked to 28 chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and even depression³. Shockingly, 26% of Canadians report avoiding food or experiencing pain due to mouth problems, and only 70% brush their teeth twice a day¹. Brushing your teeth regularly can reduce the risk of cardiovascular issues by up to 30%, and diabetes-related complications by 11%⁴.
Hygiene Poverty = Higher Health Risks
Here in Canada, 65% of community organizations report that their clients have gone without basic hygiene products more than ten times in the past year⁶. The result? More preventable illnesses, more ER visits, and more people falling through the cracks—especially those already dealing with financial insecurity.
Mental Health: Cleanliness and Confidence Go Hand in Hand
The Emotional Toll of Hygiene Poverty
Lack of access to hygiene products doesn’t just impact your physical health—it also wears you down mentally. A staggering 92% of Canadian organizations working with vulnerable groups report that hygiene poverty leads to social isolation, while 87% see embarrassment, and 81% see increased anxiety⁶. When people don’t feel clean, they’re less likely to interact with others, apply for jobs, or seek out support. In fact, 94% of organizations say hygiene poverty reduces social contact, and 79% say it reduces participation in community life.
Clean = Confident
Think about how much better you feel after a hot shower or brushing your teeth—it’s not just physical. Cleanliness boosts self-esteem, helps people feel more in control, and makes it easier to engage socially and professionally⁶. On the flip side, poor hygiene can trap people in a cycle of shame, especially if they’re already facing barriers like homelessness or mental illness⁷,⁸.
Clean Spaces, Clear Minds
It’s not just our bodies—our environments matter too. A 2023 Canadian survey found that 90% of people said a clean space improves their mental health, and 80% said it also helps their physical health. Cluttered, dirty spaces increased stress for 75% of people, while 78% said cleaning helped them feel calmer¹⁰. It’s clear: tidy surroundings are good for the soul.
Mental Health and the Hygiene Spiral
Poor mental health often makes it harder to keep up with hygiene. Depression, anxiety, and trauma can all affect motivation and energy for self-care. Unfortunately, the less someone is able to care for themselves, the worse their mental and physical health tends to get⁵,⁸. Breaking this cycle can start with something as simple as a bar of soap.
Why Hygiene Access Matters
No One Should Have to Choose
Sadly, many people in Canada are forced to choose between food, rent, and hygiene. 81% of organizations say that their clients regularly face this dilemma⁶. No one should have to decide between brushing their teeth and buying dinner.
Restoring Dignity and Health
Providing hygiene supplies isn’t just about keeping people clean. It’s about giving them back a sense of control, dignity, and hope. As one Canadian service provider put it, “A bar of soap not only restores physical health and the ability to work for our clients, but it also restores something emotionally and spiritually within them”⁶.
References
- Statistics Canada. Self-reported oral health problems in the Canadian population. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221109/dq221109b-eng.htm
- Aiello, A.E., et al. (2008). Effect of hand hygiene on infectious disease risk in the community setting. Am J Public Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2446461/
- Kassebaum, N.J., et al. (2020). An umbrella review linking oral health and systemic diseases. Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13805-6
- Zeng, X., et al. (2023). Association between oral health behavior and chronic diseases. BMC Oral Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9997302/
- Public Health Agency of Canada. Inequalities in mental health. https://health-infobase.canada.ca/mental-health/
- Soap for Hope Canada. The Power of Dignity Through Hygiene. https://soapforhopecanada.ca/Why-Hygiene
- Raoult, D., et al. (2017). Hygiene practices among the urban homeless. Int J Environ Res Public Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5551233/
- PLOS ONE. Mapping mental health and environmental conditions. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10006384/
- Newswire Canada. Clean space improves health. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/new-survey-reveals-that-canadians-believe-a-clean-space-improves-mental-and-physical-health-812459697.html
Health Through Hygiene 