William Foege

William Foege is an eminent American epidemiologist known for his contributions to public health, particularly in the eradication of smallpox. Born on March 12, 1936, in Decorah, Iowa, Foege's career has been marked by his innovative approach to controlling infectious diseases and his leadership in global health initiatives.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Foege grew up in a small town in the Midwest. He pursued his undergraduate education at Pacific Lutheran University, followed by medical training at the University of Washington. After completing his medical degree, Foege decided to focus on public health, leading him to earn a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University.

Career[edit | edit source]

Foege's career in public health began in the early 1960s when he joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. His work took him to Nigeria, where he was part of the smallpox eradication team. It was here that Foege developed his groundbreaking strategy of "ring vaccination," a method that involves vaccinating all people in the immediate vicinity of an infection case, thereby containing the spread and eventually eradicating the disease. This strategy proved instrumental in the global eradication of smallpox.

After his work in Nigeria, Foege became the Director of the CDC in 1977, a position he held until 1983. During his tenure, he focused on expanding the agency's role in global health and played a key role in establishing the Task Force for Global Health. His leadership at the CDC is credited with advancing the control of other infectious diseases, including guinea worm disease, polio, and measles.

Following his time at the CDC, Foege co-founded the Task Force for Child Survival (now the Task Force for Global Health) in 1984. He has also served as a senior medical advisor for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where he contributed to the foundation's global health strategies.

Legacy and Awards[edit | edit source]

Foege's work has earned him numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Bill Clinton in 1997. He is also a recipient of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Award for Humanitarian Contributions to the Health of Humankind and the Public Health Hero Award from the University of California, Berkeley.

Foege's legacy is not only in the eradication of smallpox but also in his approach to public health, which emphasizes equity, the use of science in policy-making, and the importance of global cooperation in addressing health challenges.

Selected Publications[edit | edit source]

Foege has authored several influential publications on public health and epidemiology, including his memoir, "House on Fire: The Fight to Eradicate Smallpox." His writings continue to inspire public health professionals and policymakers around the world.