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Malaria, is one of the major public health challenges
eroding development in the poorest countries in the world. Malaria
costs Africa more than US$ 12 billion annually. It has slowed
economic growth in African countries by 1.3% per year and
malaria-free countries average three times higher GDP per person.
Individual and Household Burdens of Malaria
There are an estimated 0.4 episodes of clinical malaria per person in
Zambia each year; meaning that the average household of six
persons can expect about 2.4 cases of malaria each year. Even
when not clinically ill, many individuals are not free of the malaria
parasite. Many go about their daily lives with high levels
of P. falciparum continually in the blood.
Repeated sickness from clinical malaria, high rates of death, blood
parasite infections, and anemia cause tremendous suffering to
millions each year and their households bear the burden of health
expenditures as well as substantial losses of productivity and income.
Personal expenditures caused by malaria include money spent on
insecticide-treated mosquito nets, clinic fees, anti-malarial drugs,
and burials. Public expenditures include government spending on
health care facilities and staff, publicly managed vector control
(such as IRS),
education, and research. In countries with a high prevalence of
malaria, the disease may account for as much as 40% of public
health expenditures, 30% to 50% of inpatient admissions and up
to 50% of outpatient visits. (WHO Fact Sheet, 2003)
Impact of Reduced Productivity
Repeated malaria infections, caring for a sick relative, and
malaria-related anemia result in the loss of workdays. Individuals
who are tired or sick much of the time are unable to work fully
whether the work is at home or in the workplace.. Lowered
productivity, in turn, results in reduced income or fewer crops for
consumption or sale. Thus, potential earnings and household food
security are reduced due to frequent illness and malaria deaths.
Impact on Children’s Productivity
Repeated malaria infections and anemia among children have a
negative impact on schooling resulting from attention deficits and
absenteeism. As a result, children may have a
difficult time passing their exams or moving to another grade, which
may lead to them dropping out of school altogether.
Impact on the Health Sector
Like any industry, the health sector’s productivity declines when its
employees are sick. Additionally, the increasing rates of malaria
place an increasing burden on health sector resources.
When malaria morbidity and mortality is multiplied by related costs, the
impact on the health sector and the nation is enormous.
Impact of Malaria on National Economic
Development
Malaria not only negatively impacts the wealth of a country’s
residents but it is also a major constraint to economic development. Annual
economic growth in countries with high malaria transmission has
always been lower than in countries without malaria. The prosperity gap between countries with malaria and
countries without malaria is becoming wider with every passing year.
Private Sector Involvement
Click here for information on the
private sector involvement in malaria prevention and control.
Links to additional
articles on the economic impact of malaria
Malaria
Foundation International: Economic analyses indicate the burden
of malaria is great
Harvard University and London
School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Economics of Malaria: Summary of the economic impact of malaria
in two other African countries
Commission on
Macroeconomics and Health, WHO:
Cause, consequence and correlation:
assessing the relationship between malaria and poverty
Gallup, J.L.; Sachs, J.D., 2001
The Economic Costs of
Malaria in South Africa: Malaria Control and the DDT issue
Richard Tren
Economic Impact of
Malaria in Kenya and Nigeria
Charolette Leighton
PhD, Rebecca Foster, 1993
Resources for
the Future: Does reducing malaria improve household living
standards?
Ramanan
Laxminarayan, 2003
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