They come in all ages, genders, ethnicities and from all walks of life. They are students and teachers, parents and children, board members and young professionals. Who are they? They are American Red Cross volunteers and measles advocates, who are responsible for raising awareness and support for the Measles Initiative. This month, they are the honored and appreciated individuals who have made the success of the Measles Initiative possible.
Since its launch in 2001, the Measles Initiative has made a tremendous impact on the reduction of measles deaths globally. Over the past five years, the Initiative has taken the lead in supporting mass measles immunization campaigns.
Largely as a result of these efforts, more than 360 million children between nine months to fifteen years old received the measles vaccine through immunization campaigns between 1999 and 2005. Overall, global measles deaths have fallen from an estimated 873,000 in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005.
The progress was even greater in Africa, where deaths plunged from an estimated 506,000 to 126,000 ? a 75 percent drop in five years. Worldwide, measles deaths have fallen by 60 percent, exceeding the United Nations goal to halve measles deaths between 1999 and 2005.
Through the dedication of American Red Cross volunteers and others from around the world, the Initiative can celebrate this major public health success. Over the past five years, advocates have mobilized and taken action against measles, leading the way in spreading awareness and sponsoring fundraising events to support the campaign.
Building on its success to date, the Initiative has endorsed the new global health goal of reducing measles deaths globally by 90 percent by 2010. In addition to this ambitious goal, the Initiative also will expand its campaign to Asia and other at-risk regions around the world.
The Measles Initiative would like to thank everyone who has contributed to its success so far. It is through the continued help and dedication of the measles advocates that this new goal will be realized.