In rough numbers, the polio eradication effort since 1985 has cost about $12 billion, of which Rotary has contributed $1.5 billion. It is estimated to fully eradicate the disease, it will cost about another $1.5 billion, of which $1.2 billion has already been pledged. An economic analysis by infectious-disease experts estimated that by preventing some 8 million cases of polio paralysis from 1985 to 2035, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative will create net gains of $40 to $50 billion, mostly in developing countries. By analogy, eradicating polio in the U.S. is estimated to have saved some $220 billion since 1955.
October 24 is World Polio Day! A lot of you may be at the Chamber's Annual Taste of Fergus Falls this Tuesday evening, but if not you can watch a live stream event from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle, Washington, starting at 4:30 p.m. our time, by going to endpolio.org. This event is being sponsored by Rotary and the Gates Foundation. World health officials and celebrities will talk about the progress made to date in eradicating polio, what more needs to be done, how much it will cost and encourage your support of the world-changing objective to end polio. The event will also be re-streamed subsequent to the live showing at the same site.