April 25th is World Malaria Day. In recognition of the toll this devastating disease takes on children and families worldwide, PAN partners are taking action today to promote safe and sustainable malaria control that reduces reliance on pesticides. Please join us.We encourage you as a PAN North America activist to take a few moments to learn more about safe, sustainable malaria control today. And we ask you to please talk with one other person about the importance of investment in malaria control, employing the safe and sustainable strategies that are used around the world.
We offer you the following resources for these conversations.
Safe Malaria Solutions
The world is finally responding to the global challenge of malaria, with particular attention to Africa, where communities are hardest hit by the preventable disease. This renewed attention is welcome and long overdue.Yet our colleagues in Africa are concerned that some programs – particularly those supported by the U.S. – are relying too heavily on one tool: spraying of pesticides inside people’s homes, including growing reliance on the infamous chemical DDT. Evidence clearly shows that integrated strategies that include bed nets, environmental controls, access to medications and community involvement make up the most effective malaria control efforts.
Learn More – Visit our Safe Malaria Solutions webpage to find out more about sustainable malaria control programs, including a new case study on the successful program in Mexico.
Human Health Effects of DDT
Scientific studies continue to confirm that DDT use for malaria control is a danger to human health. Yet some advocates continue to press aggressively for increased reliance on DDT, even though a global treaty – the Stockholm Convention – calls on all countries to shift to safer alternatives and eventually phase out all uses of this persistent pesticide.Learn More – Visit our DDT Health Effects webpage.
Thank you for joining PAN partners this World Malaria Day in supporting safe malaria solutions for children and families in Africa and around the world.