Open defecation is disastrous when practiced in very densely populated areas, where it is impossible to keep away human faces from crops, wells, food and children's hands. Groundwater is also contaminated by open defecation. Many ingested germs and worms spread diseases. They prevent the body from absorbing calories and nutrients. Nearly one-half of Indian children remain malnourished. Lakhs of them die from preventable conditions. Diarhoea leaves Indians' bodies smaller on average than those of people in some poorer countries where people eat fewer calories. Underweight mothers produce stunted babies prone to sickness who may fail to develop their full cognitive potential. The genus released into environment harm rich and poor alike, even those who use latrines. Which among the following is the most critical inference that can be made from the above passage ?