Polio

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that polio has become an almost forgotten disease; and, yet, only fifty years ago, polio was perceived as one of the most feared and dehabilitating infectious diseases. The author points out that the technologies of polio vaccines and of production and distribution channels, as well as social organizations, such as the World Health Organization and Rotary International, have played major roles in the eradication of polio. The paper relates that, although it is estimated that by 2008 polio will officially become eradicated on a global scale, several barriers, such as access and communications, still exist especially in the two trouble areas of sub-continental India and Nigeria.

From the Paper:

"In the 1950s, the United States experienced a polio epidemic and millions of dollars were spent on researching and marketing a vaccine. Through several trial and errors stages, the most effective form of polio vaccination was produced by Jonas Salk of the University of Pittsburgh. The current oral vaccine used by the vast majority of the world was developed by Albert Sabin. This technology provided a simple method of producing the vaccine as well as prescribing it to children everywhere. The technology developed by Salk is the one used for mass inoculation in the modern era."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Oshinsky, David M. (2005). Polio: An American Story. Oxford University Press.
• A Paralyzing Fear : The Story of Polio in America, by Nina Gilden Seavey, Jane S. Smith, Paul Wagner
• The Story of Jonas Salk and the Discovery of the Polio Vaccine. (Cornerstones of Freedom) by Jim Hargrove

More papers on Polio:

• Dissertation or Thesis # 149805 : "Impact of Polio Campaigns in Bihar"
• Research Paper # 10191 : "Polio"
• Essay # 863 : "The World Health Organization's Policy to Eradicate Polio"

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