Africa Malaria Day
Reducing Malaria's Burden Among Africa's Children

When

Monday, April 26, 2004
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Where

Rayburn House Office Building - Room B-340
Washington, DC

Reception to Follow

Africa Malaria Day, observed annually throughout the world on April 25, aims to raise global awareness about the significant toll malaria exacts throughout Africa. This year's slogan, Children for Children to Roll Back Malaria, highlights the special vulnerability of children who live in malaria-endemic communities.

Sub-Saharan Africa bears an immense proportion of the world's malaria burden, with nearly 90% of all deaths occurring in this region. Of the estimated 1 - 3 million deaths attributed to malaria, nearly two-thirds occur in children under the age of 5. Children are especially vulnerable because they lack natural immunity to malaria and are at greater risk of developing more severe forms of the disease.

While the statistics are staggering, there are a number of treatment and prevention strategies that are highly effective. Please join us for this briefing in which a panel will highlight proven, feasible but often underutilized strategies in the fight against malaria in children. In conjunction with the event, The Global Health Council will be launching, Reducing Malaria's Burden: Evidence of Effectiveness for Decision Makers, a new technical report that illustrates the best scientific evidence currently available to help decision-makers in their efforts to alleviate malaria's deadly toll.

Speakers

The program will feature distinguished speakers including:

• E. Anne Peterson, MD, MPH, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Global Health, will provide opening remarks
Moderator: Nils Daulaire, MD, MPH, President and CEO, The Global Health Council
• Allan Schapira, MD, Coordinator, Policy and Strategy Team, Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Department, World Health Organization (WHO)
• Martin Meremiku, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Co-Sponsors

Global Health Council
United States Agency for International Development
US Coalition for Child Survival
World Health Organization