Malaria cases increase amid rising drug resistance and climate disasters
Malaria cases rose for the fifth consecutive year, with nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023, as climate crises and drug-resistant strains complicate efforts to control the disease.
Kat Lay reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The World Health Organization reported 263 million malaria cases globally in 2023, with 94% occurring in Africa.
- Drug resistance, insecticide-resistant mosquitoes and climate-related disasters hinder prevention and treatment efforts.
- A $4.3 billion annual funding gap restricts access to essential tools like bed nets and medicines for vulnerable populations.
Key quote:
“No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.”
— Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general
Why this matters:
Malaria remains a leading cause of death in many low-income countries, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. Worsening climate events and drug resistance threaten progress, underscoring the need for sustained investment in prevention and treatment tools.
Read more: Climate change escalates malaria risk for pregnant women in highlands
