Final answer:
Yes, global measles deaths have fallen dramatically due to vaccination programs and other public health efforts. However, recent outbreaks in the United States emphasize the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, global measles deaths have fallen dramatically. Public health efforts such as vaccination programs, improved nutrition, and vector control have significantly reduced the global burden of infectious diseases, including measles. In the United States, reported cases of measles dropped from around 700,000 a year in the 1950s to practically zero by the late 1990s. Globally, measles deaths fell by 60 percent from an estimated 873,000 deaths in 2000 (Figure 1.8.2).
However, it is important to note that measles can still pose a risk to unvaccinated individuals, especially when traveling internationally or when exposed to visitors or immigrants from affected regions. Recent outbreaks in the United States, such as the one in Southern California in 2015 and the worst outbreak in New York City's Orthodox Jewish community in 2019, highlight the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates.