The Progress of the Polio Eradication Initiative: What Prospects for Eradicating Measles?

Although various attempts have been made to eradicate infectious diseases, only smallpox has been eradicated to date. Polio is targeted for eradication in 2000 and already planning has begun for the eradication of measles. However, before we commit to a measles eradication effort, we must examine th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health policy and planning 1998-09, Vol.13 (3), p.212-233
Main Author: GOUNDER, CELINE
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communicable Disease Control - organization & administration
Communicable diseases
Comparison
Developing Countries
Development programmes
Diseases
Dracunculiasis - prevention & control
Eradication
Global Health
Health administration
Health Care Rationing
Health planning
Health policy
Humans
Immunization Programs
Malaria - prevention & control
Measles
Measles - prevention & control
National Health Programs - organization & administration
Polio Eradication Iniative
Poliomyelitis
Poliomyelitis - prevention & control
Prevention
Preventive programmes
Primary health care
Program Evaluation
Public health
Resource allocation
Smallpox - prevention & control
United States
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Summary:Although various attempts have been made to eradicate infectious diseases, only smallpox has been eradicated to date. Polio is targeted for eradication in 2000 and already planning has begun for the eradication of measles. However, before we commit to a measles eradication effort, we must examine the lessons to be learned from polio eradication. Of particular importance is the debate over whether resources should be invested in ‘horizontal’ or ‘vertical’ programmes. The outcome of these debates will have a very deep and lasting impact on global health development in years to come. Collaboration between targeted programmes and the primary health care sector through polio and measles eradication efforts will help bring about the necessary balance between goal-oriented programmes, which are subject to quality control and can be evaluated by measurable outcomes, and broader efforts to build up sustainable health infrastructure.
ISSN:0268-1080
1460-2237
1460-2237
DOI:10.1093/heapol/13.3.212