Dr. William Foege, leader in smallpox eradication, dies

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 4 min read 100% complete by By MIKE STOBBEJanuary 25, 2026 at 06:53 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Dr. William Foege, a key figure in the global eradication of smallpox, has died in Atlanta at the age of 89. Foege, who died Saturday, was a leader in public health and co-founded the Task Force for Global Health. His most significant achievement was his work on smallpox, a disease that killed approximately one-third of those infected for centuries. He was the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the late 1970s and early 1980s and held other leadership roles in international health campaigns. Foege was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2012 for his contributions to public health.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Atlanta ×240% Task Force for Global Health 40% Edward Brandt 40% Washington ×240% Barack Obama 50% Smallpox ×470% Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ×380% William Foege ×6100%

Keywords

smallpox eradication 100% william foege 100% public health 80% centers for disease control 70% infectious diseases 60% global health 50% vaccination campaigns 50% task force for global health 40%