Malaria and HIV/AIDS - A Deadly Combination

Malaria kills more than one million people a year, but when combined with HIV/AIDS, it has an even bigger and more devastating global impact. As more people around the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are co-infected by these diseases, the issue has become a priority in the public health arena.

As with malaria, co-infection rates increase due to extreme poverty, limited access to treatment and resourecs, and poor education. It is vital that we acknowledge this crisis and help to find ways to curb the death rates from this combination of diseases.

At the International AIDS Conference 2008 in Mexico City, thought leaders, scientists, and organizations around the world are discussing new research and progress in global response related to HIV and AIDS. Simultaneously, Voices for a Malaria-Free Future is asking people to call for action from national ministries of health, international donor countries and development agencies to find a solution to this problem and provide insecticide-treated bed nets to people living with HIV or AIDS. Nothing But Nets supports this action as well, because we believe something can and needs to be done to curb co-infection.

If you are interested, you can show your support here.

Did You Know?

  • In some African countries, more than 90% of the population is vulnerable to malaria, and HIV/AIDS cases are more than 10%
  • More than 4 million people die annually from malaria and HIV/AIDS combined
  • Pregnant women with HIV/AIDS and malaria are more likely to be anemic and experience pre-term births
  • Babies born to women who are co-infected have an almost 74% risk of death

For more information and research on this issue, check out these resources:

-Malaria Free Future
-UN AIDS
-WHO

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Buzzkill Facts

Each year, malaria afflicts approximately a half-billion people (roughly the population of the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined).

  • Malaria kills more than a million people per year; 90 percent of those who die are African children.
  • Every 30 seconds in Africa a child dies of malaria.
  • Malaria incapacitates people, keeping countries poor. In addition to the health burden, malaria illness and death cost Africa about $12 billion per year.