Eradicating Human Diseases: Opportunities and Risks

Only one human disease, smallpox, has ever been eradicated, though the global health community is now trying to eradicate others, like polio and guinea worm. Eradication is a difficult, expensive, and risky endeavor. It takes funding away from other global health priorities. Is it worth the time and resources? What are the trade-offs? This panel will explore the scientific, political, financial, behavioral, and ethical questions surrounding disease eradication.

The panel will take place from 3:00-4:30pm, followed by a brief reception in the Duke University School of Nursing atrium. This event is sponsored by the Duke Global Health Institute and the von der Heyden Fellows Fund as part of the Duke at Home in the World series. It is free and open to the public. Paid parking is available in the Duke Medicine Circle Parking Garage.

MODERATOR
Gavin Yamey, MD, MPH, MA
Director, Center for Policy Impact in Global Health
Associate Director for Policy, Duke Global Health Institute
Professor of the Practice of Global Health and Public Policy

PANELISTS
Christopher Plowe, MD, MPH
Director, Duke Global Health Institute
Professor of Medicine and Global Health

Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD
Assistant Professor in Community and Family Medicine

Megan Huchko, MD, MPH
Director, Center for Global Reproductive Health
Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Global Health

Osondu Ogbuoji, MBBS, ScD, MPH
Deputy Director, Center for Policy Impact in Global Health