Site Map	HOME
About PHI	EDUCATION	ADVOCACY	RESEARCH	NETWORKING	Donations	Membership

Read selected articles from this issue ...

Poliomyelitis, Disease Overview
Copied with permission of The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc.

Incidence Rates of Poliomyelitis in the USA

The GINI Research Fund Call for Proposals

Research Updates

Post-Polio Syndrome Slide Kit

Post-Polio Bibliography

Identifying Best Practices

---

Identifying Best Practices

The Office of International Programs of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation has convened an expert committee to plan a symposium entitled “International Conference on Post-Polio Syndrome: Identifying Best Practices in Diagnosis and Clinical Management” to be held May 19-20, 2000, in collaboration with the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, Georgia. Attendance is open to health professionals by invitation only.

The purpose of the meeting is to review and critique the current information on post-polio syndrome and to identify the best practices in diagnosis and management. The members of the committee include John Bach, MD; Neil Cashman, MD; Marinos Dalakas, MD; Lauro Halstead, MD; Joan Headley; Susan Perlman, MD; Daria Trojan, MD; and William Wendling, polio survivor. The Chair is Lewis P. Rowland, MD, Professor of Neurology, Columbia University. The lead representative from the March of Dimes is Christopher P. Howson, PhD, Director of International Programs.

The planning committee met October 8-9, 1999 and included time for polio survivors and health professionals to cite relevant data, make suggestions, and voice concerns. The committee heard from 17 individuals. Additional comments may be sent to Joan Roe, March of Dimes, 1273 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, New York 10605. Materials must be received by December 31, 1999 to be considered.

---

Incidence Rates of Poliomyelitis in the USA

Source: Supplement to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Summary of Notifiable Diseases. Data from the MMWR are dependent on many factors. Severe cases are more likely to be reported. The completeness of reporting can be affected by public awareness, resources and priorities of state and local officials, and the availability of diagnostic testing and diagnostic facilities.

From 1937-1950, the USA total cases included both paralytic and nonparalytic polio:

Year	Reported Cases		Year	Reported Cases
1937	9,514		1944	19,029
1938	1,705		1945	13,624
1939	7,343		1946	25,698
1940	9,804		1947	10,827
1941	9,086		1948	27,726
1942	4,167		1949	42,033
1943	12,450		1950	33,300
				TOTAL: 226,306

From 1937-1950, the USA total cases included both paralytic and nonparalytic polio:

^©Copyright Post-Polio Health International