Eradicating disease is no easy feat but it can be done, as proven by the medical community's work in beating small pox once and for all. "Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease" highlights factors used for determining if a disease can be eradicated, as well as social and scientific innovations that are being used to wipe out old diseases from the world.
Opening at the American Museum of Natural History, the "Defeating Disease" exhibit was developed in cooperation with The Carter Center, taking advantage of artifacts and stunning video and photography to showcase global efforts toward fighting infections.
The exhibit will spotlight the fight against the Guinea worm disease, a campaign that's been active for 30 years already but is on its last legs as cases of the disease are dropping at a dramatic rate. In fact, with the kind of success the campaign has achieved, Guinea worm disease is well on its way toward becoming the second human disease to be completely eradicated.
"We believe eradication of Guinea worm disease is very possible in the next few years, but success will require the strong commitment and focus of the four remaining endemic countries and the many international partners in this public health initiative," said Jimmy Carter, former United States president and founder of The Carter Center.
In 1986, 3.5 million people were suffering from the Guinea worm disease. The infected dropped to 75,223 in 2000 and were down to 126 in 2014.
Ellen Futter, American Museum of Natural History president, said they are pleased to be working with The Carter Center to bring life to a critically important challenge for the 21st century: controlling and eradicating infectious disease.
"This exhibition and the work it highlights are fully aligned with the Museum's efforts to advance scientific understanding of ecosystems within and without the human body and their interrelationship with one another -- and to communicate with a broad public about this complex intersection," she added.
With Mark Siddal, Invertebrate Zoology curator for the museum, the exhibit will run from Jan. 13 to July 12. After the American Museum of Natural History, the exhibit will be on display at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Georgia starting in fall 2015. Donald Hopkins, health programs vice president for The Carter Center, collaborated with Siddal in curating the exhibit.
"Defeating Disease" is also supported by Clarke, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Vestergaard, Mectizan Donation Program, Public Health Mosquito Control, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and the Arthur Ross Foundation.
