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U.S. Aid Cuts Threaten Malaria Gains as WHO Urges Renewed Global Effort

Funding freezes disrupt critical malaria prevention programs in Africa, risking millions of cases and deaths despite advancements in vaccines and tools.

Cerebral malaria occurs when infected red blood cells block small blood vessels in the brain, leading to inflammation, swelling, and damage to brain tissue.
higginbotham
malaria
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Overview

  • The U.S. withdrawal of funding for malaria programs, including the President's Malaria Initiative, has halted indoor spraying in Kenya and delayed net distribution and seasonal chemoprevention campaigns across Africa.
  • WHO's 2025 World Malaria Day theme, 'Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,' calls for increased domestic and international investment to sustain progress and prevent resurgence.
  • Two WHO-endorsed malaria vaccines, RTS,S and R21, are being deployed in 20 African countries, with expanded use of next-generation insecticide-treated nets showing promise in reducing disease burden.
  • Africa continues to bear 95% of global malaria deaths, with fragile health systems, climate change, and insecticide resistance compounding the challenges of eliminating the disease.
  • India and Cambodia have made significant progress, with India exiting WHO's high-burden category in 2024 and Cambodia nearing malaria-free status, reporting zero deaths since 2018.