May 27, 2010
Public consciousness about malaria is rising in this country. Just a few years ago, many Americans thought that malaria was an ancient plague and were surprised to discover that it still plagues populations in Africa, Asia, and other tropical parts of the globe. Of course, people still have much to learn, but between the President and First Lady visiting malaria control programs in Africa and the Denver Nuggets raising money for bed nets treated with mosquito zapping insecticide, malaria is harder to miss these days. Here are the rote statistics: half a billion cases and one million dead each year—most of them African children. What’s new—and startling, certainly for the global health community—is the fact that a billion dollars is now pouring into malaria control every year. Less than a decade ago, it was just a few tens of millions. With such an enormous financial commitment and the attention of the world, will this investment pay off? Will we finally be able to change the numbers on the malaria scoreboard? People are talking big: the “e word” is in play again. Eradication. Is it a pipe dream or can it be reality? While scientific advances in the treatment of malaria are cause for optimism, the lack of a unified worldwide plan or vision for malaria control remains a serious concern. More people sleep under protective nets and have access to effective drugs than ever before but malaria-endemic countries tend to be among the world’s poorest, which also means they have the weakest healthcare infrastructures. And while malaria may be the most important health problem historically, it is overshadowed by AIDS—which not only makes people vulnerable to other diseases, but also has soaked up the best and the brightest in the healthcare workforce. Can we control malaria? Or will it continue to control the lives of the people affected? A lot depends on what happens over the next few years: if success can be documented, funding will probably continue to flow. But, if progress is not great enough, despite the large sums devoted to tackling malaria, the disease may win again.
