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{ Malaria Facts }

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that causes up to 200 million illnesses and over one million deaths every year.

In Africa, malaria kills a child every thirty seconds (UNICEF), and causes additional cases of learning impairment and brain damage. Pregnant women and their unborn children are also particularly vulnerable to malaria, which, during pregnancy, is a major cause of mortality, low birth weight and maternal anemia. Malaria is also seen as a major obstacle to economic prosperity – annual economic loss in Africa due to malaria is estimated to be $12 billion, representing a 1.3% annual loss in GDP growth in endemic countries.

Public health experts and officials have long agreed that prevention through wide-scale use of long-lasting insecticide treated bed nets (LLINs) is the most viable way to prevent and control malaria. Bed nets work by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur, and can last for up to four years. Studies show that the use of bed nets can reduce transmission by 50% or more and reduce child mortality by up to 20%. Through TAMTAM, one bed net costs just $7 to buy and deliver to individuals in need.

Malaria challenged areas cover a large portion of Africa.

Malaria Map

Source: Hay, S.I. et al . (2009). A world malaria map: Plasmodium falciparum endemicity in 2007. PLoS Medicine 6(3): e1000048.

Studies and organizations authenticate the effectiveness of bed nets.