How Jimmy Carter's global health efforts elevated 'the art of the possible'

Former President Jimmy Carter’s oft-stated desire was to see the last Guinea worm die before he did. Though America’s 39^th president, who died Sunday at age 100, did not quite achieve that dream, he left a huge legacy in the field of global health.

The causes he espoused are diseases whose names most of us barely know. Onchocerciasis, or river blindness. Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by parasitic worms. Trachoma, which also causes blindness. Lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease that attacks the lymphatic system, leading to grossly swollen limbs or elephantiasis. And Guinea worm.

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