Nature article reports 700 million malaria cases averted in Africa

Researchers from the University of Oxford published a new article in Nature, The effect of malaria control on Plasmodium falciparum in Africa between 2000 and 2015, analyzing data from sub-Saharan Africa to estimate that there was a 40% reduction in malaria cases across the continent over the last 15 years, with nearly 700 million cases averted. The distribution of a billion insecticide-treated bed nets, artemisinin treatment, and spraying homes with insecticide contributed greatly to the reduction in cases.

While these achievements are remarkable, almost half the world’s population remains at risk for malaria. Antimalarial drug resistance and funding cuts to malaria programs could undermine progress in driving down malaria.