Filling the Gap: Addressing Unmet Needs in Malaria Control
Malaria is a serious infectious disease that can some times be life-threatening. It is caused by the Anopheles mosquito which serves as vector for Plasmodium, with the relevant species for infection in humans being P. falciparum, P. vivax, P.ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi. Amongst these species P. falciparum regularly induces the most severe of clinical presentations and today is responsible for the bulk of global morbidity and mortality, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria is common in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, particularly in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
According to the 2024 WHO Malaria Report, the global number of malaria cases was approximately 263 million, representing an increase of 11 million cases compared to the previous year. The WHO African region continues to bear the greatest burden of the disease, accounting for about 94% of all malaria cases worldwide in 2023. In terms of mortality, an estimated 597,000 malaria-related deaths occurred globally in 2023. This marks a decrease from the previous year, when the number of deaths was 622,000. The WHO African Region remains the hardest hit, with 95% of the global malaria deaths occurring in this region.
What has been promising is that from 2000 to 2023, it is estimated that 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths were prevented worldwide, with 1.7 billion cases and 12 million deaths averted in the WHO African Region alone. In 2023, over 177 million cases and more than 1 million deaths were prevented globally.
Malaria has a major impact on individuals and communities living in poverty and vulnerable conditions. Health systems and access should be strengthened to ensure that individuals have access to appropriate treatment. A comprehensive approach is necessary to fully understand the various factors involved in a malaria diagnosis, including biological, environmental, social, structural, and economic influences. In considering health equity, it is essential to account for factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, disability, ethnicity, and migration, as these can heighten the risk of malaria and create obstacles to accessing necessary services and interventions. The WHO reported that in certain sub-Saharan African countries, malaria prevalence is highest among children under 5 years old in impoverished households, and decreases as economic status improves, highlighting the considerable influence of wealth on malaria risk.
Sustained investment and research are critical to advancing the development of innovative prevention and treatment strategies for malaria. Current interventions, including indoor residual spraying (IRS), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), vaccines, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT), and other therapeutic approaches, are foundational in the global fight against the disease. However, challenges such as limited access, high costs, and the growing threat of drug resistance persist, underscoring the need for continued innovation and expansion of efforts.
For further details, refer to the World Malaria Report 2024: Addressing Inequity in the Global Malaria Response: World Malaria Report 2024
