Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a remarkable centenarian, passed away on December 29 in his cherished hometown of Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100.
Carter’s legacy is not only defined by his time in office but also by a profound commitment to humanitarian endeavors that have reshaped global health initiatives and made a lasting difference in countless lives around the world.
Remarkably, he holds the title of the only U.S. president to reach a century of life.
A Life of Humanitarian Service
In a heartfelt tribute, President Joe Biden characterized Carter as a beloved friend known for his deep moral compass and unwavering optimism.
Biden highlighted the former president’s extensive efforts across various humanitarian landscapes—be it combating diseases, promoting civil rights, fostering peace, or advancing housing efforts—that have left an indelible impact on communities far and wide.
Over the past few years, Carter faced escalating health struggles, necessitating his transition to in-home hospice care in February 2023 after multiple hospital stays.
In 2015, he overcame a serious battle with metastatic melanoma and earned a cancer-free diagnosis.
Nevertheless, a series of falls in 2019 resulted in significant injuries, yet he ultimately recovered well.
Carter’s long and loving marriage to Rosalynn Carter, which spanned an impressive 77 years, ended with her passing in November 2023 at the age of 96, marking them as the longest-married presidential couple in American history.
A Champion for Global Health
Since leaving the Oval Office in 1980 after his tenure ended with a defeat by Ronald Reagan, Carter’s philanthropic endeavors garnered widespread acclaim.
He became significantly involved with many organizations, notably the Carter Center and Habitat for Humanity, where he prioritized global health issues.
Carter emerged as a fervent advocate for neglected tropical diseases—afflictions that predominantly affect impoverished communities and often languish in the shadows of research and funding.
His efforts helped bring renewed attention to diseases like Chagas, dengue, guinea worm disease, and river blindness.
Peter J. Hotez, co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, reminisces about Carter’s critical role in raising awareness for these conditions through their collaboration that coined the term “neglected tropical diseases” in 2006.
Hotez emphasized how Carter’s passionate support amplifying these overlooked health issues significantly advanced both public awareness and academic focus.
William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University, pointed to the importance of the Carter Center, which shines a light on the often-invisible struggles associated with neglected tropical diseases, particularly in developed nations where these issues are frequently neglected.
Targeting Neglected Tropical Diseases
The Carter Center maintains its unwavering commitment to eradicating neglected tropical diseases, specifically concentrating on six key illnesses:
- Guinea worm disease
- River blindness (onchocerciasis)
- Trachoma
- Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis)
- Schistosomiasis
- Malaria
These diseases present unique challenges as they predominantly afflict impoverished and remote populations.
Their debilitating nature often leads to low prioritization for funding compared to more acute health concerns, as emphasized by Hotez, illustrating the difficulty these diseases face in attracting the necessary resources.
Carter’s notable connection to guinea worm disease showcases his relentless dedication.
This debilitating illness, originating from the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, spreads through contaminated water.
Once it enters the body, the female worm can grow up to three feet long before she emerges through the skin to release larvae back into water sources.
Carter’s commitment transformed the plight of guinea worm disease, reducing cases from approximately 3.5 million in the mid-1980s to under 1,000 by 1989.
According to reports from the World Health Organization and the CDC, as of 2022, only 13 cases were recorded globally.
In 1995, he played a crucial role in establishing a humanitarian cease-fire during the Second Sudanese Civil War, allowing aid workers to distribute water filters and educate local populations about the disease.
Visibly motivated, Carter expressed his earnest desire to eradicate guinea worm disease completely within his lifetime.
Jimmy Carter’s far-reaching influence on global health continues to resonate through various humanitarian efforts.
He has garnered deep respect from those invested in global medicine, particularly regarding tropical diseases.
Hotez reflects on Carter’s legacy as embodying purpose and humility, sharing poignant memories that underscore his character.
Carter’s work in public health has profoundly shaped the landscape and continues to inspire future generations to strive for health equity and the eradication of diseases that plague vulnerable populations across the globe.
Source: Healthline