December 15th, 2009
Mark Green's Statement on the release of the WHO World Malaria Report
The WHO's 2009 World Malaria Report Provides More Evidence that Investing in Malaria Produces Results
Washington, D.C.-According to the Managing Director of the Malaria Policy Center, The 2009 World Health Organization's World Malaria Report offers the malaria community more evidence that, with sufficient resources, malaria control programs can not only end malaria deaths, but also lead the way in reducing all cause child mortality in many parts of Africa.
The 2009 World Malaria Report shows more African households owning a bednet, more children being treated with the proper medication, and less people suffering and dying from malaria.
According to former Ambassador Mark Green, Managing Director of the Malaria No More Policy Center, "We've seen multiple countries in Africa cut malaria deaths by 50% since the U.S. made it's commitment to help fund anti-malaria initiatives. But this report goes even further by showing that these dollars aren't just fighting malaria, they are contributing to the overall decrease in child mortality. And that's great news."
Green pointed to the case of Zambia, where child mortality rates from all causes fell by 35% according to the Demographic and Health Survey of 2007. As the report states in its "Summary and Key Points," trends like the one in Zambia suggest that strong malaria control programs could help many African countries reach - by 2015 - the two-thirds reduction in child mortality called for in the Millennium Development Goals.
Green said the report also contains sobering data.
"While the report shows promising results, it also sounds a cautionary note about the future if these programs don't receive sufficient resources. There are still countless numbers of people suffering and dying from malaria - a tragedy that is completely preventable with low-cost interventions. We're making progress on so many fronts, but we have a long way to go if we're going to reach the world's goals."
The Malaria Policy Center is a project of Malaria No More, works to raise awareness and galvanize support to address the global fight against malaria. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Center works with the global health community to engage policy leaders in the United States and in the other donor nations to advance efforts to defeat malaria worldwide.
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