Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. Every year there are over 500 million malaria cases and over 1 million deaths. The even sadder fact is that malaria is a mostly preventable and treatable disease. Caused by a parasite carried by mosquitoes, the symptoms of malaria usually appear 10-15 days after a bite. They include fever, headache, vomiting, and without treatment, death.
Malaria disproportionately affects the poor. 58% of malaria deaths occur in the poorest 20% of the world's population. It is especially a problem in Africa where one in every 5 childhood deaths is due to this disease. In countries with large rates of malaria, it causes an average loss of 1.3% of annual economic growth. Malaria makes people too sick to work and go to school. It traps already economic challenged families and communities even more in a downward spiral of poverty. To make matters worse, the parasite has started to develop resistance to medications used to treat it.
There is hope though. The World Health Organization is working with humanitarian organizations to eradicate malaria through education, better access to medical care, and prevention. Nothing But Nets is a grassroots program with the mission of getting life saving nets to those who cannot afford them. Since most malaria bites happen between the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM, a simple insecticidal net that is placed over the bed can reduce transmission of this parasite by as much as 90%. Unfortunately, the cost of $10 for each net is out of the reach of the poverty-stricken people who need them most.
For a simple donation of $10, you can buy a net. If you would like to learn more about the world malaria problem or buy a net, here are some links to websites that have great information on the subject.
Nothing But Nets
Lutheran World Relief
World Health Organization
Malaria disproportionately affects the poor. 58% of malaria deaths occur in the poorest 20% of the world's population. It is especially a problem in Africa where one in every 5 childhood deaths is due to this disease. In countries with large rates of malaria, it causes an average loss of 1.3% of annual economic growth. Malaria makes people too sick to work and go to school. It traps already economic challenged families and communities even more in a downward spiral of poverty. To make matters worse, the parasite has started to develop resistance to medications used to treat it.
There is hope though. The World Health Organization is working with humanitarian organizations to eradicate malaria through education, better access to medical care, and prevention. Nothing But Nets is a grassroots program with the mission of getting life saving nets to those who cannot afford them. Since most malaria bites happen between the hours of 10 PM and 4 AM, a simple insecticidal net that is placed over the bed can reduce transmission of this parasite by as much as 90%. Unfortunately, the cost of $10 for each net is out of the reach of the poverty-stricken people who need them most.
For a simple donation of $10, you can buy a net. If you would like to learn more about the world malaria problem or buy a net, here are some links to websites that have great information on the subject.
Nothing But Nets
Lutheran World Relief
World Health Organization
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