Malaria is making a troubling comeback, after two decades of progress against the disease. Climate change and a growing population are two major reasons for this setback, according to health advocates.
Many prevention programs need more funding, and without it, we risk losing the gains made over the years. In 2023 alone, malaria claimed 590,000 lives worldwide. Alarmingly, Africa faces the biggest threat, accounting for 95% of all cases. Countries in Africa have already reported spikes in malaria cases this year, especially following heavy rains.
Despite halving malaria-related deaths in the past 20 years, the recent report from the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) and Malaria No More U.K. warns that funding gaps are stalling progress. The report highlights a “perfect storm” of challenges: climate change, drug resistance, and global instability are complicating malaria control efforts.
In 2023, there were about 263 million malaria cases globally, increasing by 11 million from the previous year. Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA, explains that rising temperatures and flooding create more breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which now thrive in higher altitudes than ever before. Additionally, the malaria-carrying Anopheles stephensi mosquito has spread from Asia into Africa, and resistance to insecticides is growing.
Some new prevention strategies, like dual-insecticide mosquito nets and using drones for pesticide distribution, show promise but come at a higher cost. Africa’s population has nearly doubled over the last 30 years, making it even more challenging to implement these costly measures effectively.
Malaria doesn’t just take lives; it impacts productivity, education, and economic growth. The disease is a major reason for absenteeism in schools and workplaces, ultimately contributing to poverty. Phumaphi emphasizes that improving malaria control could significantly boost economies by enhancing productivity and tourism.
Currently, an anti-malaria vaccine in use across 23 African nations is about 40% effective, but it needs to be combined with other methods. A new vaccine being trialed shows promise for even higher efficacy rates. Funding models predict that if all prevention efforts stop, Africa could lose $83 billion in GDP by 2030, with an additional 525 million malaria cases and nearly 1 million deaths.
As the fight against malaria hangs in the balance, a collaborative effort is crucial to ensure that funding continues and innovative solutions are implemented. The stakes are high, but so are the potential rewards for health and economic resilience.
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malaria, climate change, mosquitoes, population
