topnaman | Malaria blog

My critique of strategy and equity in plans discussed so far: Recent dialogue around malaria elimination is laden with implicit assumptions. While the elimination of malaria may be both feasible and equitable in a few areas, globally: 1) the control tools which successfully reduce malaria burden may not be sufficient to interrupt transmission over long [...]

19, and counting, excellent malaria posts (one previously discussed here). Dr Knols asks tough questions and we’ve both touched on hot topics from King Tut, military antimalarials, Fred Soper, DDT, counterfeit medicines, Chinese efforts in the Comoros, to science press releases.

The paradox of malaria and many tropical diseases is that those most at-risk are also some of the least likely to access, or be able to access, health facilities. Active case detection, the screening of fever cases in the community itself, helps enable case management in such remote or inaccessible areas. But it’s also time and [...]

Possibly, but probably not, and certainly too early to tell. Though some would have you believe it already. The World Health Organization press release makes two claims: 1) artemisinin-resistant malaria (previously discussed here and here) has almost disappeared from areas tested in a pilot project managed by WHO and 2) the overall incidence of malaria has reduced significantly [...]

Mosquitoes, Malaria, and Man by Gordon Harrison, 1978. Lucid writing, historical depth, and the framing of critical debates in malaria control make this book my favorite recounting of the last 130 years in the malaria world. Actually, this “history of the hostilities since 1880″ no longer covers the immediate events of the past 30 years [...]

Malaria articles on Karen Grepin’s blog – while only a few malaria dedicated blogs exist, some development and health blogs have a nice collection of posts including this one. Assessment of malaria elimination in Zanzibar (old news) – even with a balanced outlook will it guide future actions – or are those predetermined by who’s [...]

The title of this paper could also be “How to write about malaria programs and operations”. It is among the most astute, careful descriptions of policy and long-term changes in malaria incidence I have seen. The article deserves broad reading as it contains many lessons on research and control for other countries. In the past 20 years, Brazil [...]

An anonymous emailer (many thanks) wrote to me to share news about a successful  microfinance program which improved malaria education. I was impressed with their work, and their efforts at rigorous evaluation. Something bugged me though – the juxtaposition of microfinance and malaria appeared unnatural. Making microfinance available is a worthwhile initiative, but why do [...]

It’s world malaria day. In the past year, a combination of sources (papers, program reports, routine surveillance, and stories from workers) suggest malaria cases and deaths are falling in many places. That’s good news indeed.

Image from the Wellcome Trust This is the second post (first one) of my attempt at profiling different malaria workers. Not many have heard of the epidemiologist Rickard Christophers (1873 – 1978). I came across his work accidentally, which was fortunate, because his lessons hold great promise for our efforts today. Having worked in the [...]