title: Endgame for polio eradication? Options for overcoming social and political factors in the progress to eradicating polio.
abstract: In 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched with the goal of eradicating polio by the year 2000. After 25 years, several dynamics still challenge this large public health campaign with new cases of polio being reported annually. We examine the roots of this initiative to eradicate polio, its scope, the successes and setbacks during the last 25 years and reflect on the current state of affairs. We examine the social and political factors that are barriers to polio eradication. Options are discussed for solving the current impasse of polio eradication: using force, respecting individual freedoms and gaining support from those vulnerable to fundamentalist 'propaganda'. The travails of the GPEI indicate the need for expanding the Convention on the Rights of the Child to address situations of war and civic strife. Such a cultural and structural reference will provide the basis for global stakeholders to engage belligerent local actors whose local political conflicts are barriers to the eradication of polio. Disregard for these actors will result in stagnation of polio eradication policy, delaying eradication beyond 2018.
authors: a Jefferson School of Population Health , Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia , PA , USA.
authors: Pavan V
authors: PV
authors: Ganapathiraju
authors: Christiaan B
authors: CB
authors: Morssink
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Plumb
mesh_terms: D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology; D060740:Disease Eradication; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014943:Global Health; D006291:Health Policy; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control*; D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000266:history*; D011057:Politics
chemical_list: D023321:Poliovirus Vaccines
keywords: children's public health; conflict and health; health regulations; polio; politics and policy