The Lasting Legacy of Jimmy Carter in Global Health
Jimmy Carter’s five decades of unwavering commitment to global health brought a once-dreaded disease to the brink of eradication, while also providing fundamental health and sanitation services to millions across the globe. His efforts established a new benchmark for how aid organizations should interact with the countries they serve. This work, often understated and lacking the spotlight it deserved, significantly impacted the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Dr. William H. Foege, a key figure in the successful smallpox eradication initiative of the 1970s, remarked, “The work in global health may turn out to be some of the most important work that he did.” After leaving the presidency, Carter was drawn into the realm of global health, where he would leave an indelible mark.
Carter viewed his health care initiatives not just as isolated efforts, but as integral parts of a broader campaign for basic human rights and a means to foster peace. In a poignant statement made in 2001 following a visit to advocate for neglected diseases among Latin American leaders, he wrote, “We believe access to health care is a human right, especially among poor people afflicted with disease who are forgotten, ignored and often without hope.” He emphasized that the mere knowledge that someone cares can alleviate not only physical suffering but also the feelings of alienation and anger that can lead to hatred and violence.
Utilizing his unique status as a former head of state, Carter tirelessly lobbied presidents and prime ministers to take action on behalf of their most impoverished citizens. He and his beloved wife, Rosalynn Carter, embarked on journeys to remote and underserved regions, including Chad and Ethiopia, where they provided comfort and support to the sick. Their mission did not end there; upon returning to capital cities, they sought private meetings with leaders or, when those efforts fell short, held press conferences to advocate passionately for the needs of those they had met.
