Measles Initiative
About Us
Measles Initiative
The American Red Cross-Badger Chapter is a proud supporter of the Measles Initiative. Established in 2001, the Measles Initiative – a partnership led by the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization – aims to reduce global measles mortality through mass vaccination campaigns and by strengthening routine immunization.
The Problem
Before global health leaders formed the Measles Initiative in 2001, more than 750,000 children worldwide died from measles each year. Measles is a highly-contagious virus, spread by contact with an infected person through coughing and sneezing. While significant progress has been made thanks to the Measles Initiative and its supporters, measles still kills an estimated 164,000 people each year – mostly children less than five years of age. That means approximately 450 die from measles-related complications each day. In many developing countries, parents do not have access to immunization services that could protect their children from this fate. Factors such as poverty, poor health systems and a lack of information make it difficult for families to secure preventative medical care. The risk also remains in developed nations. Although measles was eliminated from the Western Hemisphere in 2002, outbreaks can occur when unvaccinated residents are exposed to infected people, mostly through international travel.
The Solution
The solution lies in the partnership of the Measles Initiative. For less than US $1, a child can be safely and effectively vaccinated against measles, making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions available. Initially focused on Africa, where the disease burden was highest, the Measles Initiative provides technical and financial support to governments, struggling to control the spread of this disease. In building on its success, the Measles Initiative now supports vaccination campaigns worldwide. The Initiative works with governments to train local health workers, improve vaccine storage, promote safe injection practices, and develop laboratories and systems to identify disease outbreaks.
More than 700 million children have received a measles vaccination as a result of the Initiative. Globally, deaths have decreased by 78 percent*. The Measles Initiative goal is to reduce measles deaths worldwide by 90 percent between 2000 and 2010.
* Between 2000 and 2008
You Can Help
Save a life
 By supporting the Measles Initiative, you can help save lives. It only takes $1 to vaccinate and save the life of a child. There are many way that you, organizations, schools, and businesses can support the Measles Initiative and make a global impact. Visit http://www.measlesinitiative.org/ for more information.
To find out how to support the cause locally, contact Ann Taff at 608-227-1415 or ataff@arcbadger.org 
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