The World Health Organization has just released new data suggesting that humanity is winning the fight against measles. According to the WHO, the number of measles deaths globally decreased by 71% between 2000 and 2011, from 542, 000 to 158,000. That is still an unacceptably high number, but also remarkable progress against a scourge that has been plaguing humans for centuries.
I caught up with Dr. Robert Kezaala of UNICEF who discusses the new data, what strategies have worked to reduce measles deaths, and what more needs to be done to clear that final hurdle toward total global eradication. Have a listen!
Visit the Measles Rubella Initiative to learn more