Dr. William Foege, a prominent figure in the field of public health and instrumental in the global eradication of smallpox, has died at the age of 89. He passed away on March 12, 2025, in Atlanta, according to the Task Force for Global Health, an organization he co-founded.
Foege, who served as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1977 to 1983, was renowned for his innovative approaches to combating infectious diseases. His most significant contribution came during his time as a medical missionary in Nigeria in the 1960s when he developed a groundbreaking strategy known as “ring containment.” This method involved identifying smallpox cases and vaccinating those who had close contact with infected individuals. The strategy was pivotal in controlling outbreaks at a time when vaccine supplies were limited.
The fight against smallpox culminated in a historic achievement when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease eradicated in 1980. The last naturally occurring case was reported in Somalia in 1977. “If you look at the simple metric of who has saved the most lives, he is right up there with the pantheon,” said Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director. He emphasized that smallpox eradication has prevented hundreds of millions of deaths.
Born on March 12, 1936, Foege grew up in Colville, Washington, where his interest in medicine blossomed at a young age while working at a local drugstore. He earned his medical degree from the University of Washington in 1961 and later obtained a master’s in public health from Harvard University in 1965.
Throughout his career, Foege held several key leadership positions in public health. After his tenure at the CDC, he served as executive director at The Carter Center and as a senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. His contributions to global health were recognized when he received the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2012, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
Foege’s commitment to improving global health was unwavering. Dr. Patrick O’Carroll, CEO of the Task Force for Global Health, praised Foege’s dedication, stating, “We try to honor that commitment in every one of our programs, every day.”
In 2016, during a ceremony where he was awarded an honorary degree, Richard Brodhead, president of Duke University, referred to Foege as “the Father of Global Health,” underscoring his lasting impact in the field.
Dr. William Foege leaves behind a legacy of public health achievements that have shaped the course of global health initiatives and saved countless lives. His innovative strategies and leadership will be remembered as vital contributions to one of humanity’s greatest public health victories.
