The documentary is a serpent-slaying adventure with former President Jimmy Carter as its superhero. But it also features the voices of doctors, scientists and "Guinea worm heroes" who helped nearly eradicate this disease caused by an ancient parasite.
"The President and the Dragon,' premiering today, looks at Carter's momentous decision to try and wipe out a devastating and neglected disease. We spoke to writer and co-director Waleed Eltayeb.
As GPB looks back on the work of Georgia native and 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter, one of his most impactful accomplishments is the eradication campaign to combat Dracunculiasis, best known as Guinea worm disease.
On the Thursday, Jan. 30 edition of Georgia Today: Gov. Brian Kemp tackles tort reform; Jimmy Carter's mission to eradicate guinea worm disease remains on track; and RFK Jr. faces opposition to his confirmation as head of the largest federal health agency from Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Much of former president Jimmy Carter’s legacy was forged after his time in the White House. For more than 40 years, the Atlanta-based Carter Center continues to honor the Carters’ legacy of quiet diplomacy and service. Center CEO Paige Alexander sat down with GPB's Pamela Kirkland to discuss how the center is continuing its mission in the wake of President Carter’s passing.
Carter targeted diseases primarily affecting the poor in remote areas — notably "Guinea worm disease." Because of his commitment, case numbers plummeted from 3.6 million a year to just 13 in 2022.
When The Carter Center assumed leadership of the global Guinea Worm Eradication Program in 1986, about 3.5 million human cases occurred annually in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Now, there are roughly 13 human cases.
Wednesday on Political Rewind: Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis says criminal charges are "imminent" in her investigation into the 2020 election, but her final report will stay sealed while she pursues charges. Although they don't have the votes, state Democrats filed bills to overturn Georgia's abortion ban.
The Carter Center said Tuesday that only 13 human cases of Guinea worm disease were reported worldwide last year. After decades of progress, the eradication program's director cautioned the end phase of the global effort to eradicate the parasitic disease will be "the most difficult."
