TABLE 6-M.-Contributions to special projects of the World Health Organization by the United States and Soviet Union TABLE 6-N.-United Nations expanded program of technical assistance funds obligated by the World Health Organization 1 As country contributions are not earmarked for specific agencies or projects, the amounts shown are the percentage shares of the U.S. and Soviet contributions to the total expanded program central fund related to amounts obligated by WHO. Therefore, these amounts do not reflect actual dollars or rubles obligated by WHO for each year. H. CONCLUSION The sums mentioned above do not constitute the tiniest fraction o the billions of dollars which both the Soviet Union and the United States are spending in their programs for the conquest of outer space. Man may reach other planets, but 24 billion human beings and more will still be on earth. And the problem of disease will still weigh heavily upon them. Financial resources are somehow always found by the nations for their armed forces and for military-related projects. But medicine throughout history has never been as well financially endowed. In the 20th century, for the first time, mankind has begun to strike a slightly better balance between what is spent for possible destruction and what is spent for healing. But the balance is still heavily one sided in favor of arms. It will no doubt continue to remain so. Maintenance of world peace is of course, crucial; security for survival indispensable. But reasonable security against disease is likewise vital. The World Health Organization helps provide such security. Its record of achievement, reflected in the preceding pages, stands for all mankind to behold in pride. Its record has transformed literally hundreds of millions of lives for the better. No financial value in dollars or rubles or pound sterling or francs-can be set, in reckoning WHO's tangible and intangible contributions. But pride and admiration for past achievements are not enough, in the face of still unfulfilled need. Expanded resources for healing must now be found. These are, in a certain sense, resources for "war." It is the only war mankind desires-war against its ancient enemy, disease, war in which all countries fight on the same side. For the first time in human history, this war, at least against infectious diseases, can be virtually won. The enemy micro-organisms will no doubt fight back, in new forms, new species. But the toll taken by the micro-organisms in the form of vast amounts of avoidable human pain and suffering can definitely be reduced. The choice therefore, confronts mankind: Adequate or inadequate resources for healing, limited skirmishes against disease or massive assaults, a quest for modest gains or for large-scale victories. May mankind's decision be adequate to the challenge. O 1st Session CANCER: A WORLDWIDE MENACE SOME FACTS AND FIGURES ON ITS OCCURRENCE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROADOF PREPARED FOR THE MICHIGAN SEP 9 - 1959 MAIN READING ROOM COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE AND ITS SUBCOMMITTEE ON REORGANIZATION AND JULY 17, 1959 Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Operations For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office PURCHASED THROUGH |