Jimmy Carter doesn't usually make the cut on lists ranking history's best U.S. presidents. Despite achievements like helping to negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt, Carter's four years in office are more commonly associated with the energy crisis, the Iran hostage crisis, and economic malaise. But when it comes to having a productive post-presidency, few former presidents have come close to achieving what Carter has in the 42 years since he left office.
Some of Carter's most notable achievements have been his work with Habitat for Humanity, writing numerous books, and promoting public health, diplomacy, fair elections, and human rights through his non-profit Carter Center, founded in 1982. He was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Now 98, and currently in hospice care at home in Plains, Georgia, it seems that Carter won't be with us much longer, leading many people to consider the legacy of the 39th president. When history looks back at Jimmy Carter, undoubtedly one of his greatest achievements will be coming close to eradicating the excruciating disease known as Guinea worm. In fact, it was Carter's ambition to outlast Guinea worm, a dream that nearly became a reality.
Guinea worm disease has been eradicated from 17 countries. There were just 13 human cases in 2022 (all in sub-Saharan Africa), down from 3.5 million in 1986, when the Carter Center first became involved in the eradication efforts. Over the years, Carter has made numerous trips to countries where Guinea worm was endemic, meeting with health ministries, lobbying governments, and working with the CDC and WHO on interventions. He even negotiated a four-month ceasefire in the Sudanese civil war in 1995 so that health workers could distribute water filters to affected villages.
Guinea worm disease is spread through contaminated drinking water and was most prevalent in remote villages. The worm larvae are contained in tiny water-dwelling crustaceans. About a year after being ingested, the larvae begin growing into worms, ultimately reaching a length of up to three feet (0.91 m). In the body, they wrap around tissues, ligaments, and tendons. And when the parasite is ready to exit, it releases a burning acid so that it can emerge through the skin. Besides sounding like something from a horror film, this is incredibly painful to endure. It can take up to 30 days for the worm to leave the body.
Jimmy Carter vs. the Guinea worm:
- Since Guinea worm is not a virus or bacteria, vaccinations and antibiotics won't help. Ensuring that people have clean water to drink by distributing filters and ensuring that those infected with the parasite don't spread the larvae to water sources have been the main eradication methods.
- A former peanut farmer who had served as the Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter was elected U.S. president in 1976, defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. The Democrat was trounced at the polls in 1980, though, by Ronald Reagan.
- Jimmy Carter holds nearly all of the presidential longevity records – he is the longest-lived former president and has enjoyed the longest post-presidency (by far). He has also had the longest marriage – he and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter have been married for over 76 years.
