I’ve got good news for humankind: The world is on the brink of eradicating Guinea worm disease, which would make it the second human disease ever eradicated after smallpox.
Now for the not-so-good news: The progress toward eradication is fragile, and all the hard-won gains could be lost without sustained commitment from the global community.
As we commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day today, the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease is a powerful example of what country-led, global health collaboration can achieve. It’s also a warning about what’s at risk, as the fallout from funding challenges in global health threatens to reverse progress at the exact moment when the eradication milestone is within reach.
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About the author
Dr. Kashef Ijaz
Dr. Kashef Ijaz is a physician, medical epidemiologist, and the vice president for health programs at The Carter Center. He leads initiatives to control, prevent, eliminate, or eradicate six tropical diseases in 18 nations, as well as efforts to improve mental health care in the United States and abroad.
