Hypothesis

If sensory experiences are added to the handwashing process, then handwashing rates will increase with new-found satisfaction in the process; further normalizing personal sanitization on the University of Michigan’s campus.

• Why

The benefits of handwashing are well known:

    “Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23-40%”
    “Reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%”
    “Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21%”

                                                                                       

-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)

Handwashing should be a default for college students. Especially since college is a time when young people could form lifelong habits. The world's population is still learning to wash their hands, “Estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19%” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). The University of Michigan should lead the global handwashing revolution by example and better encourage this personal sanitization practice.

• How

Maximum benefit of washing hands only takes about 30 seconds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). Despite this fact, people will avoid washing their hands because it seems like a waste of time. Yet, Gen Z watches about 7 hours of videos per day from providers like Tiktok, Youtube, and Netflix which proves that there is plenty of time in the day, it just needs prioritization (Faughnder, 2022). The problem lies in the appeal of the activity. Washing your hands is mundane and the only change in recent years is the implementation of automated dispensers. It is time that the handwashing process sells itself like other products. They should be attractive to the senses including vision, smell, and touch. Precedents were taken from bar’s bottle displays, bakery storefront’s smells, and when animals interact with their reflection for the first time.

• What

A redesigned handwashing station that features a multitude of soaps, non-reversing mirrors, and soft paper towels. These soaps would catch the attention of users with vibrant colors and scents. The non-reversing mirrors are mirrors that show a person as perceived by others. This product is both eye-catching and useful for better understanding one’s appearance, giving another reason to invest time and stop at the sink. The last intervention would be a soft paper towel, a pleasant touch to finish off the handwashing process.

• So What

At the University of Michigan, washing hands is readily available and accessible. Unlike parts of the global population, we do not have an excuse for not washing hands. Yet, I have personally seen the neglect of handwashing on campus. The process changes would build on already existing infrastructure and take minimal investment. This investment would be well worth the known benefits of handwashing.

The Link Between Design and Outcomes
New sensory experiences attract users which leads to higher rates of handwashing. Higher rates of handwashing leads to reduction in disease. Reduction in disease leads to reduction in health complications. Reduction in health complications means avoiding stress from missing schoolwork; it could also mean reducing death from diarrhea and respiratory illnesses.