★ Rotary area of focus

Fighting disease.

Rotary works to prevent disease and widen access to health care, and has led the global effort to end polio since 1985.

Why it matters

The need, by the numbers.

According to Rotary, 4.6 billion people lack access to essential health services. Rotary's biggest health effort is ending polio.

99.9%
drop in polio cases since Rotary's polio program began in 1985.
Rotary International
2
countries where polio is still endemic: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary International
$2.9B+
given by Rotary in PolioPlus grants to end polio.
Rotary International
2 for 1
The Gates Foundation adds two dollars for every dollar Rotary raises for polio, up to US$50 million a year.
Rotary, June 2025

How Rotary helps

Rotary believes “good health care is everyone's right.”Rotary International

Take part

1
Mark World Polio DayHold an event on October 24 and raise money for PolioPlus, which the Gates Foundation matches two to one.
2
Host a health dayPartner with local providers for free screenings or a vaccination drive.
3
Rate your projectCheck it against the Four-Way Test, the 7 Areas of Focus, the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace and the 17 Goals at 47817.org.
4
Bring Democracy In A Box to your clubContact us and we will help you get started.

Stories, grants and ways to get involved from Rotary International.