In a poignant moment for global public health, Dr. William Foege, a pivotal figure in the monumental achievement of smallpox eradication, has passed away at the age of 89. His death occurred on Saturday in Atlanta, as reported by the Task Force for Global Health, an organization he co-founded.
Standing tall at 6 feet 7 inches, Dr. Foege was not only physically imposing but also an intellectual powerhouse in the realm of public health. Known for his calm demeanor and sharp intellect, he possessed a remarkable ability to confront and overcome infectious diseases.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he served as the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and later took on significant leadership positions in various international health initiatives. However, his most notable contribution came during his earlier years with his groundbreaking work on smallpox, historically one of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. This virus claimed the lives of approximately one-third of those infected and often left survivors with severe facial scars from its telltale lesions.
By the time Dr. Foege embarked on his medical career, vaccination efforts against smallpox were already well underway, leading to its disappearance in the United States. Nevertheless, outbreaks continued to occur in other parts of the world, and attempts to eradicate the disease were faltering.
While working as a medical missionary in Nigeria during the 1960s, Dr. Foege and his team innovated a strategy called "ring containment," which effectively controlled smallpox outbreaks. This involved swiftly identifying each case of smallpox and vaccinating everyone who had close contact with the infected individuals. This ingenious method was crucial, especially given the limited supply of vaccine at that time, as he detailed in his 2011 book "House on Fire."
The success of this approach played a crucial role in the eventual global eradication of smallpox, with the last naturally occurring case reported in Somalia in 1977. The World Health Organization officially declared smallpox eradicated in 1980, marking a historic milestone in public health.
Dr. Tom Frieden, a former director of the CDC, stated, "When assessing who has saved the most lives throughout history, Dr. Foege ranks among the very best. The eradication of smallpox alone has spared hundreds of millions from death."
Born on March 12, 1936, Dr. Foege grew up as the son of a Lutheran minister and first developed an interest in medicine at age 13 while working in a drugstore in Colville, Washington. He earned his medical degree from the University of Washington in 1961 and completed a master’s in public health at Harvard University in 1965.
From 1977 to 1983, he directed the CDC in Atlanta and went on to hold various prominent roles in public health, including executive director at The Carter Center and senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In recognition of his contributions, President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Freedom in 2012, the highest civilian honor in the United States. In 2016, Duke University President Richard Brodhead honored him with an honorary degree, referring to him as "the Father of Global Health."
As Dr. Patrick O’Carroll, CEO of the Task Force for Global Health, remarked, "Bill Foege's unwavering dedication to enhancing health worldwide through impactful, science-driven collaborations is an inspiration to us all. We strive to carry on his legacy in every program we undertake every single day."
This remarkable legacy leaves us pondering: How do we continue to build upon the foundations laid by such visionaries in the fight against global health challenges? What strategies should we employ to ensure that past triumphs in public health are not just celebrated but built upon for future generations?
