On World Polio Day, we are presented with a powerful moment to reflect on a subject that sits at the intersection of global health, colonial history, and community resilience. For Black men across the diaspora, the story of polio is not merely a medical footnote; it is a narrative intertwined with issues of access, equity, and the right to well-being for our communities.
The historical imagery of polio often tells a limited story. We must remember that this disease did not, and does not, discriminate. Yet, the resources to combat it often have. In many parts of the world, particularly across the African continent and in other marginalised regions, legacies of inequitable health systems have created gaps where viruses like polio can persist. The journey to eradication has been a testament to the brilliance of global science, but also a glaring spotlight on the deep-seated disparities in global healthcare.
Yet, within this challenge lies a more profound story: one of Black leadership and frontline resilience. The true architects of polio’s retreat in many communities are not just international aid workers, but the local health heroes—the Black doctors, community health organisers, and fathers who champion vaccination in their towns and villages. They are the trusted voices who navigate complex social landscapes, dispel misinformation, and ensure that life-saving vaccines reach every child. They are the living embodiment of a fundamental truth: the health of our communities is best advanced by and for those within them.
The eradication of polio from Africa in 2020 was a monumental victory, a testament to what is possible when investment, political will, and local agency align. It stands as a powerful example of African excellence in public health. However, the work is not complete. As long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere, especially in a world of constant movement and connection.
Our call to action this World Polio Day is therefore a call for sustained ownership. It is an invitation to celebrate our role in this global effort, not as passive recipients, but as active agents of change. We must continue to support the organisations, both local and global, that are finishing this fight. We must champion the young Black men in science and medicine who will safeguard our future health security. We must have conversations within our families and networks, affirming that protection is a sign of strength and a collective responsibility.
Eradicating polio is more than a public health goal; it is an act of generational liberation. It is about ensuring that no father has to fear a preventable disease for his child. It is about declaring that our communities, from London to Lagos, from Kingston to Kinshasa, are worthy of complete health and vitality. Let us stand together in this final chapter, ensuring that the legacy we build is one of a healthy, empowered, and resilient future for our children, everywhere.
